34<2 



s* 



SH 348 
.E85 
Copy 1 






U. S. COMMISSION OF FISH AND FISHERIES, 

JOHN J. BRICE, Commissioner, 



A REPORT 



'«asQ> 



UPON 



JAN 121838 




SALMON INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN AND 
ELSEWHERE ON THE PACIFIC COAST IN 1896. 



BY 



BARTON WARREN EVERMANN and SETH EUGENE MEEK. 



Extracted from U. S. Fist Commission Bulletin for 1897. Article 2, Pages 15 to 84, Plates 1 and 2, and 6 text figures. 

Date of publication, January 6, 1898. 



WASHINGTON": 

GOVERNMENT FEINTING OFFICE. 
1898. 



U. S. COMMISSION OF FISH AND FISHERIES, 

JOHN J. BRICE, Commissioner. 



A REPORT 



UPON 



SALMON INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN AND 
ELSEWHERE- ON THE PACIFIC COAST IN 1896. 



BY 



BARTON WARREN EVERMANN and SETH EUGENE MEEK. 



Extracted from U, S. Fish Commission Bulletin for 1897. Article 2, Pages 15 to 84, Plates 1 and 2, and 6 text figures. 

Date of publication, January 6, 1898. 



WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 
1898. 






Z, 



W 



^ 



\^ 



V# 



% ot 



2.-A REPORT UPON SALMON INVESTIGATIONS IX THE COLUMBIA RIVER 
BASIN AND ELSEWHERE ON THE PACIFIC COAST IN 1896. 



By BARTON WARREN EVERMANN and SETH EUGENE MEEK. 



During the season of 1S9G the United States Fish Commission conducted a number 
of investigations in Idaho, Washington, and Oregon, having for their general purpose 
the improvement and extension of the fish-cultural operations of the < 'ommission on the 
Pacific Coast. The specific object of each inquiry, the details of the work, and results 
accomplished are given in the following pages. The work was under tbe imme- 
diate direction of Professor Evermann, assisted by Dr. S. E. Meek, associate professor 
of biology and geology in Arkansas State University; Mr. Ulysses O. Cox, professor of 
biology in the State Normal School at Mankato, .Minn.; Mr. A. B. Alexander, fishery 
expertof the Fish Commission steamer Albatross; Mr. W. F. Hubbard, superintendent 
of the United States fish-hatchery at < 'lackamas, Oregon, and Mr. Alfred G. Maddren. 

Investigations were carried on in ten different regions, as follows: (1) At the 
Redfish lakes in Idaho, by Messrs. Evermann, Meek, and Maddren; (2) at Lake Pend 
d'Oreille, Idaho, by Messrs. Alexander and Cox: (3) at Wallowa Lake, Oregon, by 
Messrs. Meek and Maddren: L on tributaries of the Lower Columbia, by Messrs. 
Evermann, Meek, and Hubbard, and by Messrs. Alexander and Cox; (5) on streams 
tributary'to Puget Sound, by Messrs. Alexander and Cox; (0) at Lakes Washington, 
Sammamish, and Union, by Mr. Alexander; (7) on the Siuslaw River, Oregon, by Dr. 
Meek; (8) on Whoahink. Tsiltcoos, and Tahkenitch lakes, Oregon, by Dr. Meek; (9) 
at Upper Klamath Lake, by Messrs. Meek and Alexander; and (ID) at Crater Lake, 
Oregon, by Messrs. Evermann and Cox. 

During the progress of this work the representatives of the Commission were the 
recipients of material assistance and many acts of courtesy from various citizens, to all 
of whom we are glad to acknowledge our indebtedness and to express our thanks. 
Especial mention should be made of Mr. ('.. II. Stevenson, Vancouver, Wash.: Seufert 
Brothers and Mr. I. H. Tatle. salmon canners at Celilo, Oregon; Mr. Frank Warren, 
salinon-canner at Portland; Captain Steers, id' the steamer Lillian, Florence, Oregon; 
Mr. William Kyle and Messrs. Elmore & Sanborn, salmon-canners at Florence; Mr. 
Leonard Christiansen, of Acme, Oregon, and Mr. Scott Morris, of Ada, Oregon. 

THE REDFISH LAKES, IDAHO 

It was found in 1S94 that these lakes and their connecting streams afforded unusu- 
ally good facilities for the study of the spawning habits of the chinook salmon and 
both forms of the so-called redfish. The matter was taken up in the following year 
and a continuous series of observations was carried on at those lakes from July 17 to 
September 24. A detailed account of those observations, together with full descrip- 
tions of the physical features of the region, may be found m the published report, in 

the Bulletin of the United States Fish Commission for 1896, pp. 149-202. 

15 



16 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 

The investigations of 1895 resulted in the following conclusions concerning a 
number of important questions regarding these fishes, viz: 

1. The chinook salmon resorting to the headwaters of Salmon River for spawning 
purposes reach the spawning-grounds in perfect condition, so far as shown by external 
appearances, no mutilations nor injuries of any kind having been seen. The many 
sores and mutilations seen upon them later in the season result from injuries incident 
to spawning, are received on the spawning-beds, and are not due to injuries received 
en route from the sea. 

2. After spawning, the chiuook salmon coining to these waters die in the vicinity 
of the spawning-beds. 

3. The young chinook salmon remain about one year in the streams where they 
were hatched before beginning their journey to the sea. 

4. The large redflsh are identical with the blueback salmon, or sockeye (Oncorhyn- 
elms nerka), and come up from the sea, as do the chiuook salmon. They reach the 
spawning-beds in perfect condition, arc mutilated there during the spawning season, 
and then die, never returning to the sea. 

5. The small redfish spawn at the same time and ou the same beds with the large 
rednsh. They arrive upon the spawning-beds in apparently perfect condition, but soon 
become mutilated, just as do the large form and the chinook salmon, and then die 
without returning even to the lake. 

6. Eggs of the small redfish laid in September in the inlet to Alturas Lake began 
hatching on the 21st of March following. 

7. The young rednsh remain in Alturas Lake at least one year from the time when 
they were spawned. 

The investigations of 1895 left unanswered, however, some of the most important 
and interesting questions concerning the redfish. It was not possible to determine 
when the large redfish arrives at the Idaho lakes, nor whether the small form is really 
anadromous. Both forms were already in Alturas Lake before the nets were set in 
the outlet, on July 20. The importance of settling these questions, if possible, and 
the desirability of repeating and verifying the observations of 1895, justified the 
continuance of the work another season. .Alturas Lake was, therefore, again visited 
in the summer of 1890. Camp was established July 11 on the outlet of Alturas Lake, 
at the ford about 1.] miles below Perkins Lake. On account of unusually high water 
it was impossible to set the gill nets satisfactorily until July 17. On July 22 thecamp 
was moved to I he head of Alturas Lake and a, gill net was placed across the inlet at 
its mouth. The net at the lord was taken up August C and reset in the outlet between 
Perkins and Alturas lakes, thus making it more easily reached from the camp. It 
remained in this place until September 25, when it was taken up and not reset again. 
Redfish began to come into the inlet August 3. After that date the net was kept in 
place only at. irregular intervals until August 14, when if was taken up. 

High water. — The spring of 1896 was an unusually late one in Idaho. The snows 
of the preceding winter were much deeper than usual and were slow in disappearing in 
the spring. Rains were also uncommonly frequent, even late in the spring and during 
the first halt of summer, the last of importance occurring August (J. Avery hard 
rain fell on (lie night of August 3, resulting in a perceptible rise in (he streams. On 
July 1 1 the streams were much higher than at the same time the year before. Salmon 
River and Alturas Creek were .overflowing their banks in many places; much of the 



SALMON INVESTIGATIONS IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN IN 1896. 



17 



valley above Alturas Lake was from a few iuches to 3 feet under water. Not until 
about July 22 was it possible to reach the head of the lake with a wagon, and the 
outlet could not safely be forded earlier than that date. After July 14, however, the 
water ran down very rapidly, and during August and September Alturas Creek was 
only slightly higher than in 1895. 

Temperatures. — Temperature observations were made as regularly as circum- 
stances permitted. The records for July 11 to July 21, inclusive, are those made at the 
camp on the outlet of Alturas Lake. The thermometer for air temperatures was 
kept hanging in the shade on a tree at the camp; the water temperatures were taken 
in the creek at the camp in water about a foot deep. 

Temperatures recorded at the outlet of Alturas Lake, Idaho, July 11 to SI, 1S96. 



Date. 


Hour. 


Air. 


Water. 


Hate. 


Hour. 


Air. 


Water. 


July 11 
12 




O J\ 

62 
59 
71 
52 
52 
60 
55 
58 
70 
62 
63 
71 
61 
60 
74 
64 


o jr. 
58 
56 
58 
55 
53 
55 
53 
53 
58 
54 
54 
57 
56 
60 
59 
56 


July 17 
is 
19 
20 
21 




o jr. 
55 
73 
64 
55 
74 
64 
52 
72 
59 
56 
73 
60 
50 
76 
63 


o f 
55 
60 
59 
58 
63 
60 
58 
62 
61 
58 
63 
61 
58 
63 
61 




12 m 




12 m 










13 




12 in 


14 


12 in 








8 a. m 


12 in 




12 in 










15 


8 a.m 

12 m 


12.30 ]). m 

8.15 p. in 

8.20 a. m 

12m 






16 






12 iu 













The temperatures recorded iu the following table are those taken at the camp at 
the head of Alturas Lake. The '-inlet'' temperatures were taken a few feet above the 
lake where the water was about 2 feet deep; those for the lake were taken just in 
front of our camp at a depth of about 3 feet, and those of the air were in the shade: 

Temperatures recorded at the head of Alturas Lake, Idaho, July .12 to August ~>, 1896. 



Date. 


Umir. 


Air. 


Water. 


Date. 


Hour. 


Air. 


Water. 


Inlet. 


Lake. 


Inlet. 


Lake. 


July 22 
23 

24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 




°F. 
62 

72 
60 
55 
64 
48 
46 
64 
56 
52 
69 
53 
46 
63 
53 
50 
64 
60 
48 
57 
49 
52 


O J- 

51.5 

43 

47 

49 

41 

47 

51 

42 

48 

51 

42 

47 

51 

43 

47 

50 

55 

51 

49 

43 


55' 

57 

50 

53.5 

54.5 

51 

53 

55 

51 

54 

50 

51 

50 

59 

56 

54 

58 

59 

54 

56 

56 

56 


July 29 




J". 
65 ' 
54 
49 
68 
55 
53 
74 
59 
59 
74 
59 
57 
66 
53 
49 
70 
42 
41.5 
57 
44 
42 
60 


jj\ 
48 
50 
43 
49 
52 
44 
50 
51 
44 
52 
53 
44 
51 

53.5 
44 
49 
52 
42.5 
50 
51 
42 
44 


y. 
59' 
56 
56 
60 
58 
56 
59 
55 
58 
54 
55 
57 
58 
53 
57 
57 
50 
55 

51.5 
55 
55 
56 


12 m 






30 


8 a. m 

12 m 




12m 


31 
Aug. 1 



3 

4 
5 












12 iu 






8 a m 




1 n 


12m 


8 n m 




8 a m 






12m 












12m 






8 a . ni a 




12m 










12 m 







a During the night of August 3 there were heavy thunder and rain, snow falling on the mountains. 

F. C. B. 1897—2 



18 



BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



In the following diagram are shown the temperature curves obtained by taking- 
serial temperatures in Alturas, Big Redfish and Wallowa lakes. Two series were 
taken in Alturas Lake and one in each of the others. 





TEMPERATURE IN FAHRENHEIT DEGREES. 


^05 
no 


o 
<* 


5 


CM 


1 


<* 






<* 


00 


1 


O 

in 


in 


in 


m 
in 


■7 
m 


in 
in 


in 


in 


00 

m 


0) 


o 


10 


rvi 

ID 


ro 
10 


lO 


m 

lO 


10 






































/ 


3 


f + 








,..• 




.0 


20 
































nf 


-? 




f 


















30 


























r^" 










.-•• 


.••• 


















40 










* 


*• 
* 
















_... 


.-•• 


»-*' 
























50 








4 

/ 


/ 
















.o- 






























60 






4 
i 












.» 


,. 




































70 






1 
I 








..-• 


»•'" 








































80 






i 




t . 














































90 




< 


J 


/ 
















































100 




i 


' t 


; 

! 
















































110 




/ 




















































120 




1 


1 


















































130 




fl 


j 


















































140 


1 


1 

1 


I 


















































150 


t 






















































160 






I 




















REFERENCE TABLE. 


170 


I 
























180 




i 


i 




















190 


























ALTU 


■<»» 




200 


























RAS LAKE.IDAH 


0. 


210 


























AUG.! I^.I896.BET. 3&6RM. 


220 




< 


i 




















Bl 






230 


























r RFnn^H iakf in 


AHO. 


240 




t 






















AU6.9 T ^896,BET.2:30&3:30PM. 

WALLOWA LAKE.OREGON. 
AUG. 20^. J896. 


250 


























260 


























270 


























280 
































290 


S^ 





































SALMON INVESTIGATIONS IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN IN 1896 19 

The following temperatures were taken August 11, in Alturas Lake just beyond 
the bar at the mouth of the inlet. All are bottom temperatures except the first three. 
The first, second, third, and fourth were all taken at the same place, the others a short 
distance away: 

1. At surface 57° i 5. At depth of 72 feet 43° 

2. At depth of 24 feet 54 6. At depth of 96 feet 40J 

:i. At depth of 48 feet 45 7. At depth of 102 feet 40$ 

4. At depth of 90 feet 40J 

Two series of temperatures at different depths were taken in Alturas Lake August 
11, between 3 p. m. and <> p. m. These are shown on the temperature diagram on pre- 
ceding page. The series indicated by the crosses shows the- bottom temperatures, 
obtained by starting near shore in 1 fathom and going outward into increasing depths. 
The circles on the continuous line indicate a vertical series taken near the middle of 
the lake, where the depth was 150 feet. It will be noticed that, after reaching a depth 
of 30 feet, the two series coincide exactly and that the temperature at the bottom in 
the deepest part of this lake is but slightly, if at all. above that of fresh water at its 
greatest density, namely, 39°. 

A similar series was taken at Big Redfish Lake August 9, between L'.oO and 3.30 
p. in., the results of which are platted on the same diagram, an examination of which 
shows that this lake is, as a whole, considerably colder than Alturas Lake. Though 
the surface temperatures are nearly the same, the water in Big Redfish Lake is seen 
to grow colder much more rapidly as the depth increases. This is apparently due to 
the greater size and depth of Big Redfish Lake, the lower temperature of the inflowing 
water, and the greater protection afforded by the higher surrounding mountains. In 
both lakes, however, the temperature decreases rapidly until a depth of about 100 feet 
is reached, and beyond that depth the decrease is less than 2° in either case. 

These temperatures were taken with a Negretti-Zambra deep-sea thermometer 
tripped by means of a messenger, and the results are believed to be reliable. The 
bottom temperatures which we took at these lakes in 1S95 were taken with a Wilder 
protected thermometer, and we are now convinced that the results obtained are wholly 
unreliable whenever the depth exceeded a few feet. The thermometer can not be 
drawn up cpiickly enough to prevent the mercury from being wanned by the warmer 
water above. The few bottom temperatures given in the report of the work done on 
these Idaho lakes in 1895 are therefore worthless. 

SUMMARY OF OBSERVATIONS KE<;A1UHNG THE REDFISH. 

Damp was established on the outlet of Alturas Lake July 11, and observations 
began on that date. The daily inspection of the nets and the periodical examination 
of Alturas Creek and Salmon River were carried on essentially as during the season 
of 1895. Although gill nets could not be well placed until July 17, the opportunities 
for examining the stream make it certain that if any redfish had ascended to the lake 
between July 11 and 17 they would have been seen. 

Beginning with July 17, gill nets were kept constantly in the outlet of Alturas 
Lake, set in such manner as wholly to obstruct the stream to the ascent of fish. These 
nets were kept in place until September 25, but not a single redfish, either of the 
large or small form, was caught in them. No redfish were seen in the outlet or else- 
where below Alturas Lake during the season. Small redfish appeared in the inlet in 
considerable numbers in August and September, but no large redfish were seen this 
year at any of the Redfish Lakes. 



20 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 

The first redfisli seen was caught in Alturas Lake near the inlet July 16, while 
fishing for Dolly Varden trout in about 30 feet of water. It was a male, Hi inches 
long, and was taken on a hook baited with salmon spawn. Its stomach was well filled 
with food, chieiiy small crustaceans. Its color was a rich metallic blue on the back, 
becoming silvery on the lower sides and under parts. The reproductive organs were 
not greatly developed. 

The next redfish were caught in the inlet gill net on the night of the 2d of August, 
3 males in prime condition. On the next night 3 more males were taken, in excellent 
condition and nearly or quite ripe. On the next night 8 males and 3 females were 
caught, all the males ripe and the females nearly so. No others were seen until 
August 6, when about 40 were observed in a deep hole about a mile above the lake. 

As the redfish were now running up in considerable numbers, the nets were taken 
up and not put down again except for one night, August 13, when 53 males and 32 
females were caught. None of these showed any sores or mutilations of any kind. 

By the middle of August the fish had arrived in large numbers, the maximum 
being reached during the last week in that month. The fish in the inlet were counted 
at intervals and a careful record made of their numbers. The record reads as follows: 
1,014 fish on August 18; 1,345 on August 21; 1,038 on August 25; 1,558 on August 
28; 1,354 on September 1; 1,515 on September 4; 1,286 on September 9; 1,067 on 
September 12; 952 on September 14; 703 on September 18; 214 on September 25; 106 
on September 28; October 2, none. 

The fish seen on the first few days were all in perfect condition, but soon after 
they began spawning mutilations appeared, and some died as early as August 23. 
After that date they died rapidly, but the numbers were reinforced from time to time 
by new schools which continued to come up from the lake until probably the first week 
in September. The large decrease shown August 25, compared with the number 
observed four days earlier, was apparently caused by a great many fish being caught 
out by campers. Beginning early-in September the number of dead fish increased 
and the number of live ones gradually decreased until October 2, when all had died. 
The dead fish were usually found in the deeper pools or quiet portions of the inlet. 
On September 14 one dead redfish was found lodged against the net in the outlet a 
few rods below Alturas Lake, and on September 25 four were found washed up on the 
shore of the lake a few rods west of the inlet. These had all doubtless been carried 
down by the current. 

Bun later than in 1895. — In 1895 the first redfish appeared in Alturas Inlet July 
25, the maximum was reached about September 6, and all had died by September 25. 
In 1896 the run began nine days later, the maximum was attained about nine days 
earlier, and the last live fish were seen about nine days later than in 1895. Though 
the season began a little later, it covered almost exactly the same length of time. 

Mutilations. — Previous observations concerning the cause of the mutilations were 
verified. As the fish came into the inlet they were all in perfect condition, and con- 
tinued and careful observation of their movements during the spawning season showed 
conclusively that the injuries are caused by contact with the gravel and by fighting 
on the spawning-beds. 

Dying of the redfish. — The conclusion reached last year, that every redfish dies 
after spawning once, was based upon absolute proof, so far as this region is concerned, 
and no other conclusion was possible from the observations made this year. The 



SALMON INVESTIGATIONS IN COLUMBIA RIVEK BASIN IN 1896. 21 

number of redfisli entering Alturas Inlet in 1895 was about 2,000 in round numbers, 
and not one ever returned alive to tbe lake below. The run this year was somewhat 
larger. The greatest number counted at any one time was 1,558, but many had died 
or been caught by campers prior to that time, and many new schools came in subse- 
quently. It is a conservative estimate to say that between 2,500 and 5,000 fish entered 
Alturas Inlet in 1896. While the observations for the purpose of determining whether 
any returned to the lake were not as carefully made as in 1895, there is no evidence 
that a single fish ever returned to the lake alive. 

While the mutilations are usually quite severe, in many cases they are not par- 
ticularly so, and unmutilated fish were sometimes found dead or dying. This fact 
seems to be of great importance because of the light which it throws upon the probable 
cause of the death of spawning salmon. Some naturalists have maintained that the 
dying is attributable to the injuries; others that exhaustion resulting from the long 
journey from the sea or long abstinence from the use of food is the cause; but as a 
matter of fact, many observers have seen salmon dying in large numbers at the end 
of the spawniug season in waters only a few miles from the sea, and even in salt 
water, and the cause could, therefore, not have been exhaustion resulting from long 
journeys without food, or mutilations received on such journeys. That the dying 
results from long abstinence from food is completely disproved by observations at 
Alturas Lake, where redfish have been observed to come up out of the lake with food 
in their stomachs, and have died a few days after spawning. The true cause is evi- 
dently deeper seated in its nature and more general in its application than has been 
supposed. 

Ao large redfish seen in 1896. — In 1891, 14 large redfish were seen in Alturas Inlet 
and 1 in the inlet to Pettit Lake, and as these waters were visited only once this does 
not, of course, indicate the total number that may have spawned there in that year. 
In 1895 only about 8 large redfish were seen, 3 in the inlet to Pettit Lake, 3 in Alturas 
Inlet, and 2 in Alturas Lake. During the season of 1896 no large redfish appeared in 
Alturas Inlet, nor were any seen at Pettit Lake, which, however, was not visited 
sufficiently often to fully determine the matter. None was observed at Big Redfish 
Lake during a trip there August 8 to 10, and parties who visited the lake during 
August and September report seeing no redfish. 

Are the small redfish anadromous? — This question can not yet be positively 
answered. If they are, they had reached Alturas Lake prior to July 11, just as they 
must have reached it before July 20, in 1S95. But this may very well be so, for the 
big redfish, which is undoubtedly anadromous, had also reached this lake earlier in 1895 
than July 20. Observations at Alturas and Wallowa lakes point strongly to the 
probability of the small redfish being permanently resident in those lakes. The first 
of these was the catching of a small redfish in Alturas Lake July 16. This fish took 
the baited hook, and its stomach was found to contain some food, chiefly iusect larvae 
and small crustaceans. One caught in the gill net August 6 had a trace of food in its 
stomach. Twelve small redfish were caught with grabhooks in Wallowa Lake by Mr. 
J. J. Stanley, about the first of September, and the stomachs of 9 of them were 
found to contain food consisting almost wholly of entomostracans and other small 
crustaceans. In one case the stomach contained a small quantity of some alga and 
in five or six cases the stomach was quite full of food. 



22 BULLETIN OP THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 

The twelve specimens taken by Mr. Stanley were males wbicli probably would 
have spawned that season. They are considerably smaller than any heretofore taken 
and vary from G% to 9^ inches in total length; one found dead on the shore of Wallowa 
Lake August 2-4 is only 5[ inches long. 

In the light of all these facts it is hard to believe that the small redflsh come up 
from the sea. On the other hand, when we consider that the large and small forms 
present no structural differences of value, that they spawn at the same time and on 
the same beds, that the small form has never been seen, so far as known, in any of 
these lakes except at spawning time, and that they, like other members of the genus, 
die after once spawning, it is equally difficult to believe that they are permanently 
resident in fresh water. 

Chinook salmon in the upper Salmon River. — The number of chinook salmon coming 
to these spawning -beds in 1895 was not far from 1,000. The first appeared July 21, and 
the maximum number was reached about August 21. All arrived in perfect condition, 
and all died soon after spawning, none returning to the sea. 

Not much time was given to the chinook salmon in 189(1, only occasional visits 
being made to Salmon River. From such observations as were made and from infor- 
mation obtained from various parties who came up the river from Stanley Basin and 
other points below, it appears that the run was very small and much later than in the 
preceding year. Four were seen in Alturas Creek, at the mouth of Pettit outlet, 
August 24, and seven days later 7 more were seen in the Salmon River a mile below 
the mouth of Alturas Greek. On September 3, 8 were seen from this point down to 
Roaring Creek. The same fish, or possibly others, were seen at various times until 
September 11, after which no more were seen. Mr. Springer, who was fishing and 
hunting for the Custer market, says that in Bear Valley anil Sulphur creeks, where 
salmon have until this year been plentiful, not one was seen. He saw only 1 salmon 
in Salmon River below Roaring Creek. 

LAKE PEND D'OREILLE, IDAHO. 

In February, 1889, the United States Fish Commission placed in Lake Pend 
d'Oreille 1,300,000 fry of the common whiteflsh (Goregonus clupeiformis). Until now 
no investigation had ever been made to determine whether any of these fish survived. 
Fugitive reports have come to the Commission from time to time of the capture of 
examples of this species, but specimens submitted for identification proved to be the 
common native species (Goregonus williamsoni). If the planted species succeeded in 
establishing itself, the individuals would by this time have attained a size sufficient 
to enable them to be taken in gill nets. 

Mr. A. B. Alexander and Prof. U. O. Cox were instructed to go to Lake Pend 
d'Oreille and endeavor to determine the result of the wbitefish plant made in this 
lake in 1889, and to make investigations regarding the suitability of the lake, in its 
physical and biologic features, to the common whiteflsh. The investigations were 
begun June 25 and it was hoped they might continue through the season, but. owing 
to urgent work on Puget Sound, which Messrs. Alexander and Cox were directed to 
perforin, the Pend d'Oreille investigations were discontinued July 16. Excessively 
high water prevailed daring the time spent upon the lake and the conditions were not 
favorable for investigations of this kind. Gill nets were set in different places in the 
north end of the lake, but no tests were made in the southern portion. While no 



SALMON INVESTIGATIONS IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN IN 1896. 23 

whitefish were found, the result cau not be regarded as conclusive. The investigations 
should be resinned and coutiuued until the whole lake can be carefully examined. 

The report upon the physical examination of the lake and upon the fish-food 
collected will be reserved until a more thorough study of this important body of water 
can be made. 

WALLOWA LAKE, OREGON. 

It has been known for several years that both the large and small redftsh have 
spawning-beds in the inlets of this lake, and that chinook salmon spawn in Wallowa 
River and other streams in that region. A short visit was made to Wallowa Lake by 
Messrs. Meek and Maddren on August 19, and they remained there and on Wallowa 
River until August 20. 

Wallowa Lake is in the northeastern portion of Oregon and in 'the southern part 
of Wallowa County. It lies in the southern end of a considerable valley, which is 
bounded on the east, south, and west by the Powder River Mountains. This lake is of 
glacial origin, and is bordered on the east and west sides by immense lateral moraines, 
which rise about 1,200 feet above the surface of the lake at the upper end, but become 
less high as the lower end of the lake is approached. Across the broad canyon at the 
foot of the lake is a terminal moraine a few feet high, through which the outlet has cut 
its way. At the foot of each of the lateral moraines, about 20 feet above the surface 
of the water, is a bench from 20 to over 100 feet in width. This bench was evidently 
formed when the surface of the lake was at that height. The outlet has cut a sort 
of cauyon through the terminal moraine and lowered the lake to its present level. 
The sides of the moraines above and below these benches are very steep, and except 
along the upper one-third of the lake there is very little timber on them. There is a 
dense growth of willows and alder along the south shore of the lake, extending back- 
ward into the valley about one-fourth of a mile. The rest of the valley near the head 
of the lake is quite heavily timbered. 

The mountains near the head of the lake are very rugged, and are said to be over 
5,000 feet above the surface of the lake. 

Wallowa Lake is about 4A miles long from north to south, with a maximum width 
of about 1 mile. The greatest depth found was 250 feet. Its shores are quite regular, 
there being no marked indentations anywhere. The beach at the upper end of the 
lake is sandy; that on the other three shores is for the most part covered by bowl- 
ders. The inlet of this lake has its origin in some lakes about 3 miles farther up the 
narrow valley. The largest of these is said to be about half a mile in diameter. 
About 2i miles above Wallowa Lake are Wallowa Falls. Just before reaching this 
point the inlet flows through a canyon about 90 feet in depth, the height of the falls 
being about 50 feet. The water falls into a basin about 50 feet in diameter, the outlet 
of which is 15 to 20 feet wide. A great many bull trout are caught with hook and 
line in this basin each year. Between the falls and the lake the inlet flows most of 
the distance, with a swift current, over a bed of bowlders. Within about half a mile 
of the lake the inlet breaks up into two or more channels, and finally discharges its 
waters into the lake by two mouths, which are only a few rods apart. The mouth of 
the inlet has been changed within the past few years. The stream is very swift and 
contaius very few gravel beds, and these are along its lower mile. Another small 



24 



BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



inlet empties into the lake near its southeast corner; tliis inlet is only a small brook 
in summer. The lakes and the inlet above the falls are said to contain no lish life. 

Wallowa River, as it leaves the lake, is a very rapid stream and flows over a bed 
of bowlders. The first half mile of its course is through a canyon about 30 feet deep. 
From Joseph to Lostine the river is said to be very rapid. 

The West Fork of Wallowa River rises in the mountains west of Wallowa Lake, 
and, after flowing in a general northerly direction until within about a mile of the 
main fork at Lostine, it bends to the westward and joins the main fork a short dis- 
tance below that town. About 12 or 15 miles below where these two forks come 
together Wallowa River is joined by Minam River, which forms apart of the western 
boundary of Wallowa County. The river here flows nearly due north, and soon 
unites with the Grande Ronde River, a tributary of Snake River. 

About 4 miles from Lostine up the West Fork of Wallowa River, the river was 
narrower and flowed with considerable velocity among the huge bowlders scattered 
over its bed. About 3 miles above Lostine there is a somewhat level stretch in the 
river of about half a mile, which includes some gravel bars. From Lostine to the 
mouth of Minam River the Wallowa is a rapid stream, flowing most of the distance 
over a bed of bowlders. Gravel or sand bars are not common. The water is very 
clear, and at tlie time of our visit was not over 3 feet deep in this portion of the stream. 
Minam River is smaller and is said to be very similar to the Wallowa. The Grande 
Ronde River was seen at Lagrande and Elgin and at various places between those 
towns. It appears to be a rather sluggish stream, the water being warm and muddy. 

Soundings and Temperatures. — The following soundings and temperatures were 
taken on Wallowa Lake about half a mile north of the south end of the lake. We 
began on the west side and counted the strokes of the oars as we crossed, taking 
soundings and temperature at intervals, as shown below. The first sounding was 
made 20 oar strokes from the west shore. 



Soundings and temperatures taken in Wallowa Lake, August 20, 1896. 



Strokes 






Strokes 






taken 




Temper- 


taken 




Temper- 


between 


Depth. 


ature at 


liit n ei ii 


Depth. 


ature at 


sound- 




bottom. 


sound- 




bottom. 


ings. 






ings. 




, 


Wo 


Feet. 


°F. 


No. 


Feet. 


°F. 


20 


42 


51 


50 


219 


405 


100 


216 


40i 


30 


180 


40f 


100 


236 


40! 


30 


99 


41J 


100 


234 


40j 


35 str 


)kes to eas 


t shore. 


100 


228 


40J 









Temperature of water at surface ti."> . 

The greatest depth, 250 feet, was about a mile from the south end of the lake and 
about a third the distance across from the west shore; the bottom temperature here 
was 40^°. About a quarter of a mile south of this point and near the middle of the 
]ake from east to west a depth of 246 feet was found, and the same bottom temperature. 
A series of temperatures taken August 20 is platted on page 18. The surface of the 
iake near the inlet at 3 p. m., August 24, was 02° when the air was 70°. The tempera- 
ture of the east inlet at the same time was 52° and the other was 48°. The water in a 
small spring creek was 44°. 



SALMON INVESTIGATIONS IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN IN 1896. 25 

Redfish. at Wallowa Lake. — No large redfish were seen at the time of our visit to 
tbis lake, August 19-2G. From interviews with persons familiar with the region it 
appears that the large redfish usually reach the lake during the last half of July. They 
come up the river with the first run of chinook salmon, the run into the lake lasting 
about three weeks. Soon after entering the lake they are seen in large schools at its 
upper end. They begin to spawn in September. They are not red when they enter 
the lake, but become so a short time before spawning. They spawn in the inlets of 
the lake and on the shores of its upper end. They were formerly caught for the market 
during the month of August. According to Mr. J. J. Stanley, of Joseph, the run of 
large redfish in Wallowa Lake in each year since 1882 was as follows; 

1883. The run of redfish n-as very large, 

1884. It is estimated that less than 100 redfish entered the lake. 

1885. About 75 were caught with a seine, the run being very small. 

1886. The run was very large, but not as large as in 1883. 

1887, 1888, and 1889. Very few redfish were caught with spears in the river above the lake. 
1890. The run was quite large; two parties salted many for the home market. 
1891, 1892, anil 1893. Very few redfish seen in the lake during these years. 

1894. About 2,000 redfish were caught at the head of the lake and salted. 

1895. The run was again very small. 

1896. The run was very small; about one dozen were seen in the lake and one in the inlet. 

In the spring many small fish, from about C to 8 inches in length, are stranded in 
irrigating ditches, many others are killed by entering mill-races. By the inhabitants 
of Joseph these are thought to be the young of the big redfish on their way to the sea. 
The large redfish are not known from any streams in this region except in the lake 
and its outlet and inlets. It is said never to run up the West Fork of the Wallowa 
River. Only one small redfish was observed while at Wallowa Lake, a small example 
5J inches long, which was found dead on the lake shore August 24. 

According to Mr. Stanley, the small redfish are seldom or never seen there except 
in September, and then only in schools at the head of the lake or in the inlets where 
they spawn, at the same time and on the same beds with the large redfish. He says 
the small ones are called "yanks," and that not more than 1 in 15 is a female; 12 
which he caught for us were all males. According to Mr. Stanley, the fish which he 
calls "grayling" is usually seen only in June, when it is easily caught by trolling in 
the lake. The small redfish found dead on the beach of Wallowa Lake, August 24, 
was called a grayling by Mr. Stanley, from which it seems probable, that the so-called 
"grayling" are the more silvery small redfish. 

Chinook salmon. — This salmon is known to enter both the West and Main Forks 
of Wallowa Eiver, the majority running into the West Fork. Those which keep in 
the Main Fork enter Prairie Creek, where they have their spawning-beds. They have 
been seeu in the outlet close to the lake itself. The early run is in July. The largest 
run is in September when they are known locally as "dog salmon." 

West Fork was examined for a distance of 4 miles, that portion of the river most 
frequented by chinooks, but no salmon were seen. Four had been caught, however, 
on the spawning-beds 3 miles above Lostine a few days before, and one was killed by 
an Indian below Lostine about the same time. 

Steelhead trout. — The steelhead reaches Lostine on the Wallowa River in March 
and April. They spawn mostly in the West Fork of Wallowa Eiver, very few being 
seen in the Main Fork. 



26 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 

LOWER COLUMBIA RIVER. 

It being the desire of tbe Commissioner to establish a station for the hatching of 
salmon in the Lower Columbia River basin, we were directed to visit and examine 
various streams, particularly in the vicinity of The Dalles and Cascades, and select a 
site suitable for such purposes. 

The conditions requisite for such fish-cultural operations as were contemplated 
arc essentially as follows: (1) An abundant supply of salmon easily obtainable wben 
ripe, or nearly so; (2) water of proper quality as to purity and temperature and in 
sufficient quantity; (•'!) suitable land upon which to locate the hatchery building, and 
so situated as to permit the water to be brought to the hatching-troughs by means of 
gravity; (1) proximity of building materials and good railroad facilities. 

Upon taking up this inquiry it became at once evident that no definite informa- 
tion existed concerning the location of salmon-spawning beds anywhere in the Lower 
Columbia River basin and information regarding the spawning time was equally 
uncertain and unreliable. It was therefore necessary to visit as many streams as 
possible and determine the facts by personal inspection and by interviews with people 
living on or near them. 

The telegraphic instructions dated August 1 directed that a site be definitely 
selected, and as soon as possible, in order that the station might be operated during 
the season of 1896. In order to be able to examine as many streams as possible in 
the brief time at our disposal Messrs. Cox and Alexander were ordered from 
Puget Sound to examine the Lewis River and other streams below Vancouver, while 
Messrs. Evermann and Hubbard made examinations at the Cascades, The Dalles, 
Hood River, Big White Salmon, and Celilo. These inquiries were made during the 
first ten days of August. Later (August 28 to September C) Messrs. Evermann and 
Meek examined the Des Chutes, John Days, Hood. Big White Salmon, and Little 
White Salmon rivers, and on September 7 and 8 Messrs. Evermann and Hubbard 
reexamined Little White Salmon Ifiver and examined Tanner and Eagle creeks near 
Bonneville. Mr. Hubbard also visited Hamilton and Rock creeks across the river 
from Cascades, and Mr. Alexander made au examination of Toutle River, Wash- 
ington. Only the more important results of these various inquiries are given here, 
detailed reports having been made at the time to the Commissioner. 

LEWIS KIVER. 

This river forms the boundary between Clarke and Cowlitz counties, Wash., and 
flows into the Columbia between Vancouver and Kalama. Two main branches, known 
as the North Fork and South Fork, unite only a few miles above the mouth of the river. 
The North Fork has its headwaters on the cistern slopes of Mount St. Helens; the 
South Fork rises in Skamania County, southeast of Mount St. Helens. No salmon 
were seen in the North Fork at the time of Mr. Alexander's visit, during the first 
week in August, it is said that the salmon of the spring run do not enter the river, but 
that large numbers of Chinook salmon of the fall run enter it; also a good many silver 
salmon and steelheads. The chinooks arc said never to run in until after the 10th of 
August, when the close season begins. When the close season ends (September 10) 
fishing with gill nets and seines is carried on to some extent in this river. Some 
logging is carried on in this stream during the spring, but it ceases long before the 
salmon arrive. 



SALMON INVESTIGATIONS IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN IN 1896. 27 

Considerable spawning-beds are said to be located in tlie vicinity of .Etna. The 
water is pure and colli, and if obinook salmon really come, there in large numbers all 
other conditions are favorable for fish cultural purposes. 

The South Fork was examined as far up as La Center. This stream is about the 
same size as the North Fork, but the water is not clear. The banks, in the lower 
portion at least, are composed of red clay or easily disintegrated rock, and the water 
is thus usually kept more or less muddy. Below La Center there seems to be no 
bottom suitable for spawning-beds and there are no tributary creeks from which water 
suitable for hatchery purposes could be obtained. Chinook salmon of the fall run are 
said to enter this fork, but the. locality of their spawning-beds is not known. No 
salmon were seen by Professor Cox at the time of his visit. 

TOUTLE RIVER. 

This stream is an eastern tributary of the Cowlitz, into which it flows a few miles 
north of Castle Eock. About 11 miles above its mouth is a fall 1.5 feet high. From 
this point down there are many riffles suitable for spawning-beds, and where racks 
could be put in without difficulty. One of the best places is at the mouth of Pat's 
Creek, about 7 or 8 miles above the mouth of the river, where the stream is 3.3 to 75 
feet wide and the bed is of coarse sand and gravel. Suitable water for hatchery 
purposes could be obtained from the creek. 

It is claimed that the fall run of salmon enters this river in considerable numbers, 
including chinook, silver, dog, humpback, and steelhead. Salmon appeared to be 
scarce at the time the river was examined, as only three were seen by Mr. Alexander; 
but it was stated that they would be more abundant about the 1st of September. They 
are. said to collect in numbers at the foot of the falls already alluded to, and if this be 
true, that would prove a good place for collecting the eggs. The falls do not seem 
to offer an impassable barrier, as salmon are reported from points still farther up the 
stream. 

* CASCADE LOCKS. 

On the Washington side, of the Columbia River, opposite Cascade Locks aud at 
the head of what is known as the "Old Incline'' at the Upper Cascades, is a place 
where it was thought fish cultural operations might be carried on successfully. The 
fish would have to be caught in wheels, several of which are operated in the vicinity, 
and held until ripe in a retainiug channel or pond. This channel has sufficient water 
flowing through it, can be easily racked at each end, and seems iu every way fairly 
well suited for such a purpose. There is a good site for the buildings aud sufficient 
water is obtainable by gravity from a small creek near by. It is claimed that an 
abundance of salmon can be obtained by running the wheels in August and Septem- 
ber and that they will be so nearly ripe that retention in the pond or channel will be 
necessary for only a short time. 

An effort was made iu August to transport fish caught in these wheels to the 
retaining pond, but it proved a failure. Whether due to lack of care and skill in 
making the transfer, or to inherent difficulties, is not certain, but we believe there is no 
good reason why salmon may not be safely transferred at this place. We question, 
however, whether they would live in the retaiuing pond until ripe, uuless the pond be 
rather deep and kept dark. 



28 



BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



CELILO. 

Mr. A. B. Alexander was directed by the Commissioner to visit Celilo, Oreg., for 
the purpose of watching the daily catch of fish taken there in wheels. He arrived 
there, September 17 and remained till September 23. His report is in substance as 
follows : 

Only one wheel was in operation September 17. Two others close by were not 
running, owing to low water. It was expected to pack 4,000 cases, but by September 
23 less than 1,000 cases had been packed. The fall run of salmon was very light in 
nearly all parts of the river. The accompanying table will show the daily catch for 
one wheel, with their condition, etc.: 















Chinook (;ill caught 


Silver (all 


caught 




















in wheel). 




in wlieel). 






IB 


6 
& 


e 


id 

.5* 


oi 


w 
O 






P. 


& 


ft 




BO 


6 


'3 


6 






si 


t- 


S 


>•. 


<L 


■o 




*rt 


b 


a 


'". 




rt 


U 


E 


i>> 






a 


k> 


£ 


t-i 


* 






H 


t*> 




a 




a 


>, 




fe 












* 








h 


















S 


o 


<s 


o 


p 


d 


.2 




o 





o 


BC 




Z £ 


o 


m 








































.= 


O) 


J2 










^> 




^> 










.3 






o 

H 


a 

3 


*5 

3 


s 


a 


5 
o 




cS 

o 
H 


z 


"5 


a 


a 

En 


O 

H 


a 

s 


"3 


a 


a 


1890. 




































Sept. 18 


235 


111 


10 


124 


15 


160 


75 


28 


19 


10 


9 


9 


6 


5 


2 


1 





10 


2)11 


130 


28 


111) 


22 


180 


60 


18 


8 


5 


10 


6 


8 


6 


4 


2 


1 


21 


487 


121 


29 


366 


98 


192 


295 


53 


18 


11 35 


26 


22 


9 


7 


13 


8 


22 
Total . 


550 


159 


59 


391 


164 


350 


200 


20 


12 


8 


8 


6 


19 


11 


8 


8 


6 


1,512 


521 


126 


991 


209 


882 


630 


119 


57 


34 


62 


47 


55 


31 


21 


24 


15 



Among the 119 chinooks, 13 were small males, with their milt as fully developed as 
that of the large fish. The wheels sometimes take these fish in considerable numbers. 
The Indians prize them highly and seldom offer one for sale. Those examined were 
quite uniform in size, few weighing over 4£ pounds, the minimum being about 3 
pounds. In length they vary from 12i to 23 inches. Their color is very dark, the spots 
not being visible a distance of 10 feet. On closer inspection all the marks of a large 
chinook are visible. Fishermen usually do not class this fish with the chinook, but 
think it a different species. 

The chinooks taken in the fall of 1896 at Celilo were said to be somewhat larger 
than those for several years past, the average weight being 20 pounds ; average length, 
37 inches; greatest length, 13 inches. The average was about 1 pound larger than the 
usual fall run, and 1 pound less than the spring fish. 

Ihe steelhead varied in length from 25 to 42 inches, the average weight of those 
taken at Celilo being 18 pounds. A few weighed from 35 to 37 pounds. On first 
coming from the water the steelhead is very bright-colored, the large specimens 
having a bright stripe extending along the sides the whole length of the body, vary- 
ing from a light pink to a deep bronze. The colors are very pronounced when the fish 
is first caught, but grow dim on being exposed to the air. 

Silver salmon are from 18 to 30 inches long; their average weight is 7 pounds. 

Early in the fall Seulert Bros, operated three wheels, but two of them could not 
be run after the river had fallen. Mr. Taffe"s wheel was adapted to low water. An 
island lying between Celilo and Tumwater is exposed when the river is low, the 



SALMON INVESTIGATIONS IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN IN 1896. 29 

water on the south side of the river flowing over a rocky ridge forming falls some 12 
or 15 feet high. Many salmon find their way to the foot of the falls and endeavor to 
ascend them and when the water is about half low many succeed, but when the dis- 
tance from the lower to the upper current of water is from 8 to 10 feet thousands of 
salmon at times may be seen jumping into the whirlpools at the foot of the falls. 
Just above the falls are two wheels, the larger on a rocky point projecting into the river. 
"When the river is high, many of the salmon pass by this point over that part of the 
river where the falls are during low water. The wheel here catches fish only when the 
water is high ; the other wheel, at the head of a channel, takes fish when the water is low. 

The wheels in operation during the fall months are built in places where the water 
is deep and the current swift. There being few natural places iu the vicinity where 
wheels can be successfully operated, long deep channels have been cut through the 
volcanic rock and the water led into them. At or near the head of these artificial 
channels the wheels are built. The water rushes through the channels with consid- 
erable force, offering a strong inducement for salmon to enter. On arriving at the 
foot of the falls and finding it impossible to go farther salmon naturally enter the 
channel which leads to the wheel. If the water is very clear, the fish will congregate 
in large numbers in pools and eddies near the mouth of the channel and at the foot 
of the falls, remaining there for days without attempting to go up the channel. 
Sometimes several thousand fish will crowd themselves into the mouth of the narrow 
channel and remain there for hours at a time. Suddenly, as if by one impulse, they 
will dart up channel, and are soon caught up by the revolving wheel and landed on 
the platform in the fish-house. 

Wheels are built in places near high-water mark where salmon are known to run 
in greatest numbers. The migratory habits of all species of salmon visiting the. 
Columbia River iu the vicinity of The Dalles are said to vary from year to year. 
This often causes a considerable expenditure of money in wheels frequently followed 
by negative results. For several years the main run of salmon may pass certain 
points in the river, when suddenly a new route will be selected. This change often 
transfers the best fishing-ground from one side of the river to the other, and wheels 
which have made large catches one season prove a failure the next. Only those with 
long experience in this locality are competent to select good sites for wheels. Several 
wheels on the river, built at a cost of from $3,000 to $5,000, have never taken a fish. 
This method of fishing requires considerable capital. 

On September 18 and 10 a large number of fish, mostly steelheads, were noticed 
to ascend the falls, but, as the river was falling rapidly, in a short time they were 
prevented from taking their natural course and were forced either to enter the channel 
or remain in the pools or eddies at the foot of the falls. At this time the wheel at 
Celilo began to take more fish than it previously had, the daily catch increasing 
during the time Mr. Alexauder was there. The catch of chinook and silver salmon 
was small as compared with the number of steelheads. The last-mentioned species 
is always found in greater numbers at this season, the fall run of chinook being 
limited iu number. Only a few silver salmon are caught here. 

This season, owing to the unusual scarcity of fish at Celilo, the cannery there did 
not put up any spring fish, the run being very small. The great bulk of salmon was 
taken in wheels below the Cascades. Arriving at this point, they seemed inclined to 
go no farther up, and the canneries in that locality made large packs. Fish expected 



30 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 

at The Dalles in tbe spring- did not appear until about the close season. A large body 
of steelheads passed up the river during that time. Ordinarily the run of steelheads 
arrives at The Dalles early in September, but this year most of the run passed by 
during the close of the season. 

On September 18 the wheel at Celilo took 160 steelheads, 28 chinook, and 6 silver 
salmon, and 75 steelheads were taken by Indians with spears and dip nets. Of the 
steelheads, 111 were males and 124 females; 10 males and 15 females were in an 
advanced stage of development, and would have been ripe in a comparatively short 
time; the rest of the catch would not have been ripe until late in the season. Of the 
chinooks, 19 were males and 9 females; 10 males and all of the females would have 
been ripe by about the first week in October. 

During the five days spent at Celilo 1,512 steelheads, 119 chinook, and 55 silver 
salmon were examined. Of the steelheads, 991 were females and 52L males; 299 
females and 120 males showed considerable signs of development, and would have 
been fully ripe by the first week in October. 

As the river falls many places are left bare where salmon were caught earlier in the 
season. Sharp rocks are exposed, small peninsulas formed, and rocky islands appear 
where a few mouths before there was nothing to indicate their presence except an 
occasional small whirlpool or riffle. At such places Indians fish with spear or dip net. 
Each fall several tribes from various parts of the State camp at Celilo and Turn water, 
remaining there until the season is over. They fish for the canneries principally, but 
also lay in a supply of salmon for themselves. In pleasant weather when salmon are 
plentiful they do a lucrative business. Sometimes one man catches 35 salmon in a day. 
Their fishing is with a dip net and detachable gaff hook and is carried on in swift 
water, the men standing on overhanging rocks or shelving places where a foothold can 
be had. This is dangerous work, and not a few lives have been lost from time to time. 
When the wind is high, one of (he strong gusts that frequently sweep the river may 
suddenly strike a fisherman unprepared to receive it and blow him into the river. 
Each fisherman who stands in a dangerous place therefore has a rope fastened around 
his waist and secured to a rock. 

In the whirlpool of water only an occasional fish can be seen and the fisherman 
stands and dips blindly. Sometimes a bundled dips or more will be made without a 
fish being taken, at other times one will be caught at almost every dip. Where the 
water is less turbulent salmon are taken with spears, each spear sm an having his par- 
ticular standing-place, from which he keeps a vigilant watch, t'uw salmon escaping that 
approach within throwing distance. 

The Indian is assisted by the women and children of the tribe, who gather the 
fish when caught, throwing them into a pile on the rocks and rendering such other 
assistance as may be required. As soon as the day's fishing is over the Indian leaves 
the fish to be taken care of by the women, and they are taken from the island to the 
mainland, and carried in baskets over a steep, rocky path to the cannery, a distance 
of about a third of a mile. When there is a good catch many trips are required to be 
made to the cannery. A male Indian seldom does this kind of work; he is quite 
willing that it should be performed by the women, and raises no objection when young 
girls are pressed into the service by their mothers. Sometimes, however, small boys 
lend assistance, but by the time they arrive at the age of 12 they have caught the 
spirit of their elders and refuse to do woman's work. 



SALMON INVESTIGATIONS IN COLUMBIA EIVEK BASIN IN 189G. 31 

When salmon are plentiful an Indian can earn from $5 to $8 a day. The price 
varies from year to year, according to the supply and demand for salmon by the can- 
neries. This season 2 cents a pound was the standing price for chinooks and steelheads. 
Indians consider the chinooks superior to all other salmon, and it is only when plentiful 
that they are sold to canneries. No part of this fish is thrown away; the ripe eggs 
and even the tail, head, and fins are eaten. 

The dwarf chinooks, previously spoken of, not being used by canneries, are greatly 
sought after by the women of the tribes, who squat on the floor of the room where the 
fish are dressed, patiently waiting for the small fish to be culled out. They sit for 
hours shivering in the cold, and consider themselves well paid if each receives one 
or two fish. During the fishing season the women and children congregate in the 
dressing room, waiting for a share of the heads, tails, and tins as they fall from 
the butcher's knife. 

The ripe eggs of chinook salmon are considered a great delicacy and are gathered 
in large quantities. They are first separated and then dried in the sun, after which 
they are prepared in various ways as food. 

Steelheads swim near the surface and are more easily caught than the chinooks, 
which swim deep. Clear water influences the catch; if the water be clear the catch is 
less than when it is muddy. 

From September 25 to the 13th of October 2,667 steelheads, 1,402 chinooks, and 
2,213 silver salmon were examined at Celilo; 1,010 of the steelheads were males and 
1,657 females; 683 of the chinooks were males and 710 females; of the silver salmon, 
1,011 were males and 1,202 females; 350 male steelheads and 6(11 females were in an 
advanced stage of ripeness; also 574 male and 52S female chinooks, and 843 male and 
1,048 female silver salmon. 

The eggs and milt of the salmon caught during October were somewhat further 
advanced than that of those examined in September at Celilo. A large part of the 
eggs of the chinook on being taken from the fish would immediately separate; this was 
also true of many of the silver salmon and steelheads. A number of the latter showed 
no signs of development, but many were well advanced and some about ready to spawn. 
It would seem that the spawning season of the. steelhead extends over a greater period 
of time than that of other species. A careful examination carried on in other streams 
would no doubt throw more light on the subject. 

In the fall, after the close season, a seining " gang" of twelve to fifteen men goes 
into camp on a long pebbly beach, about a mile below r the fishing station at Tumwater. 
This season two seines were operated on the Oregon side of the river and one on the 
Washington side. At times fish will be found plentiful on one side of the river and few 
on the other, when suddenly, without apparent cause, they shift to the opposite side. 

During the fishing season seining is carried on with little or no interruption, hauls 
being made in quick succession all through the day. The seines are set from a flat- 
bottom boat, one end of the seine rope being held on shore by horses while the net is 
being thrown out. As soon as the net is set the seine rope on the lower end is picked 
up by other horses and the hauling in commences. It would be impossible to land the 
net by hand, so swift is the current, and frequently the united strength of four horses 
is barely able to land it. At each haul the fish caught are loaded into wagons and 
taken to the fishing station, where they are weighed, washed, and put into cars. If 
they are to be canned they are thrown into the car in bulk; if shipped east, they are 



32 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 

packed in boxes and iced. In the early part of the fall season the demand for fresh 
steelbeads is large, and there is more profit in shipping fish east than in canning them. 
The only place noticed near Tumwater where salmon could be held for spawning 
purposes is near the seining -ground on the Washington side of the river. Here a 
channel has been cut, but owing to the small number of fish that entered it the wheel 
built near its head and also the channel have for several years been abandoned. On 
the lower end of the channel is a small indentation where an eddy is formed; a dam 
could be built here and also one across the mouth of the upper end of the channel, 
with iron screens at either end. By covering the top of the channel, either the whole 
or a part of it, an inclosure would be formed which would hold a large number of 
salmon. It seems reasonable to suppose that salmon would live much longer in an 
inclosure of this kind than in boxes, as they would be crowded far less and have a 
better circulation of water. A swift current or comparatively still water could be had 
by putting in a gate at the upper end of the channel. The cost would be considerably 
more than keeping salmon alive in cars or boxes, but it is thought that the results 
would be more satisfactory. 

SEUFERT'S TniWATEB. 

On the Washington side of the river, opposite Seufert Brothers' cannery, is an 
excellent seining-grouud, where salmon are said to be caught in large numbers. 
Within a few rods is a narrow channel of the river suitable in every way for a retain- 
ing pond. The hatchery building could be placed upon ground quite close to the 
retaining channel and where a supply of suitable water can be led by gravity. Seining 
is carried on principally for silver salmon and" steelheads; many cbinooks are also 
caught, but they are so near the spawning condition that they are not used for can- 
ning. The probabilities that fish could be secured here and retained for a short time 
until ripe are greater thau at the Cascades, and the expense would be very slight. 

JOHN DAY RIVER. 

This river was examined at its mouth September 2. It is there a stream of 
moderate size, quite shallow, and very muddy. The banks and bottom for some 
distance above the mouth are of mud or sand. Farther upstream the water is, of 
course, much clearer. Salmon could doubtless ascend the John Day River, but it 
is not certain that they do so in any numbers, and none was observed. Interviews 
with persons living on or familiar with the upper course of the stream failed to elicit 
any evidence that chinook salmon are now found there. It is said that a good many 
salmon formerly entered this river and spawned in the spring, but these are evidently 
steelheads and not chinooks. A few years ago a wheel was operated in the mouth of 
the John Day, but it has not been run for two or three years. 

DES CHUTES RIVER. 

The Des Chutes River has its source on the eastern slopes of the Cascade 
Mountains and elsewhere in Crook County, Oregon, flows nearly north and joins the 
Columbia about midway between the mouth of the John Day River and The Dalles. 
It has been generally regarded as the best salmon-spawning stream in the lower 
Columbia basin, and it was reported that large numbers of salmon can be seen at any 
time in the fall in this river at Sherar's Bridge, 30 miles from The Dalles or about 40 
miles above the mouth of the river. This place was therefore visited from August 
29 until September 1. 



SALMON INVESTIGATIONS IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN IN 1896. 33 

Throughout the lower portion of its course this river has cut a narrow, deep 
channel in the lava beds. The canyon's walls are so abrupt tbat it is impossible to 
reach the river in many places. At Sherar's Bridge the canyon widens out a little and 
the river here has a fall of 8 or 10 feet. Below the falls the river is compressed into 
a very narrow gorge, through which the water rushes with much fury. At the bridge 
the water is said to be 86 feet deep, which is about equal to the river's width at that 
point. Immediately above the falls the river widens out greatly and is very shallow 
for some distance. 

Until within the last six or eight years "salmon"' were seen here every spring in 
considerable numbers. Mr. J. H. Sherar, who has lived at these falls for many years, 
says " salmon trout" were present throughout the year, but were not abundant except 
in the spring, and that they spawned in the spring; they had no difficulty in ascending 
the falls, and his understanding has always been that many of them went far toward 
the headwaters to spawn. Formerly Mr. Sherar caught large numbers of these 
salmon trout, but he has seen but very few for lour or five years. 

Several persons who live on the upper course of the Des Chutes, report that for- 
merly a good many "salmon trout" were seen there in the spring, which was their 
spawning time, but that few if any have been noticed for several years. It would 
appear that the chinook salmon has never run into the Des Chutes iu large numbers 
and that few enter it now; that the fish which at one time was rather abundant 
is the salmon trout or steelhead, Salmo gairdneri. The spawning-beds in this river 
are too remote from the railroad to be available for fish-cultural operations. 

HOOD RIVER. 

This stream is fed chiefly by the snows and glaciers of Mount Hood and flows into 
the Columbia at Hood River Station. It does not appear to ever have been frequented 
by chinook salmon in large numbers. The people at Hood River Station do not think 
that many salmon enter this river, and persons living several miles up the river say that 
salmon are seen there but rarely. 

BIG WHITE SALMON RIVER. 

This river was examined August 6, and again on September 4. It is a stream of 
considerable size, having its sources on the western and southern slopes of Mount 
Adams. It flows in a general southerly course and empties into the Columbia nearly 
opposite Hood River Station. It is, in its lower course at least, a rough, turbulent 
stream, full of rapids and large bowlders, and flowing between high, and, in some places, 
precipitous, banks, so that it is difficult to reach the edge of the stream. At the 
mouth of the river the canyon widens out and there is a little level land along the 
stream. In August all of this was flooded by back water from the Columbia, but in 
September it was dry. No salmon were seen on our first visit, but on September 4 
quite a number were observed jumping iu the Columbia about the mouth of the tribu- 
tary stream. On that date Indians had established two camps at the mouth of the 
river for the purpose of takiug salmon during the season. They go up the stream from 
a quarter of a mile to a mile and capture the salmon by means of gaff-hooks on the 
ends of long poles. Only four salmon were taken during an afternoon. While the 
conditions are not favorable for operating a hatchery on this river, a good many eggs 
could probably be obtained and carried to any station which may be established on 
the lower Columbia. 

F. C. B. 1897—3 



34 BULLETIN OP THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 

LITTLE WHITE SALMON KIVEE. 

This stream enters the Columbia about G or 8 miles below the mouth of Big White 
Salmon Biver. It was examined September 5 and 7, and the prospects for successful 
salmon-cultural operations appeared so good that a site at the mouth of the river was 
selected and preparations begun at once for equipping the station. Salmon were 
already in the stream in large numbers and spawning had begun. By the time the 
station was ready to begin operations the height of the spawning season had arrived, 
but more than 2,000,000 eggs were taken, and it is believed by Mr. William P. Sauer- 
hoff, superintendent of the station, that 10,000,000 eggs could have been obtained if 
operations had begun earlier in the season. The success attending the operation of 
thisstationis highly gratifying. Up to the time of writing these lines (October 30, 1S97) 
the total number of eggs taken at the Little White Salmon Station this season is over 
12,500,000. 

TANNER AND EAGLE CREEKS. 

These are two small streams flowing into the Columbia at Bonneville, Oregon. The 
smaller is Tanner Creek, whose mouth is only a few rods west of the railroad station. 
It was examined September 7 by Messrs. Evermann and Hubbard, who found about 
300 chinook salmon in the stream within a mile of its mouth. Most of the fish were 
lying quietly in deep holes, but some were in shallow water and evidently spawning. 

The mouth of Eagle Creek is about half a mile east of Bonneville. This stream is 
considerably larger than Tanner«Creek. Its bed is exceedingly rough and rocky, and 
only with much difficulty can salmon ascend it. A large bunch of salmon were lying 
in the deep hole under the railroad bridge and a few others were seen a short distance 
farther up the creek. Though these creeks are small, from 1,000,000 to 2,000,000 eggs 
could probably be taken there annually and carried to the Little White Salmon 
Station. 

Across the river from Bonneville, and only a short distance below Little White 
Salmon River, are several streams into which salmon are said to run. Among these 
are Little Wind River, Wind River, Smith Creek, Rock Creek, Hamilton Creek, and 
Hardy Creek. Some of these are unsuitable for salmon on account of large quantities 
of wood which are floated down, and bars sometimes form across the mouths of others, 
especially Hamilton and Hardy creeks, so that salmon are not able to enter; but 
usually a good many salmon spawn in these creeks, and doubtless a great many eggs 
could be collected from- them. Their proximity to the Little White Salmon will make 
it easy to carry the eggs to that station. 

PUGET SOUND. 

In connection with the work of the joint commission appointed to investigate 
the fisheries of the contiguous waters of the United States and Canada, certain 
investigations were made by Messrs. Alexander and Cox concerning the movements 
of the sockeye or blueback salmon in Puget Sound and its tributary streams. The 
information obtained has been furnished to the joint commission and has been used 
in its report. The movements of the sockeye in the north end of the sound were 
studied, particularly among the San Juan Islands, chiefly to determine whether many 
of that species run into streams flowing into the sound from the State of Washington. 



SALMON INVESTIGATIONS IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN IN 1896. 35 

The principal rivers examined were the Nooksack, Skagit, Stillaqualmish, and 
Snohomish. The time was too short to permit an exhaustive study of the questions 
involved, but enough was done to show that most of the rivers flowing into Puget 
Sound from the east are salmon streams of considerable importance. This is particu- 
larly true of the Skagit. The sockeye runs into this river in large uumbers, and there 
are important spawning-beds of this species in its headwaters. The State of Wash- 
ington has recently established, and is now successfully operating, a hatchery for this 
species on Baker Lake, one of the upper tributaries of the Skagit. 

The height of the run of sockeye salmon in 1896 at the San -Juan Islands was 
from August 20 to 28. The run was regarded as unusually large in view of the fact 
that this was an off year. Nothing definite was learned regarding the occurrence of 
the sockeye in any streams except the Skagit, nor whether it is found in any of the 
upper tributaries of the Skagit except the Baker. The Baker River has a lake in its 
upper course which can be reached by the sockeye. 

So far as is yet known, this species spawns only in such streams as have lakes at 
their headwaters, and the spawning-beds are found only in the streams tributary to 
the lakes or in the lakes themselves. Several streams tributary to the northern part 
of Puget Sound contain lakes in their headwaters, and it would prove interesting and 
valuable work to determine accurately the distribution of the sockeye in this region. 

All the other species of west coast salmon are found here in large numbers. The 
chinook first appear, then the silver salmon and steelhead, and still later the humpback 
and the dog salmons. The Nooksack is the principal river frequented by these species. 
The silver, humpback, and dog salmons are said to ascend both forks of this river. 

The actual or even relative abundance of the different kinds of salmon and their 
distribution in the rivers of western Washington is not well understood, and scarcely 
anything is known regarding them after they enter the rivers. 

LAKE WASHINGTON. 

In February, 1889, the United States Fish Commission planted 375,000 fry of the 
common whitefish [Coregonus clupeifonnis) in Lake Washington at Seattle. In June, 
189(5, Mr. A. B. Alexander visited this lake and began a series of observations for 
the purpose of determining the results of this planting of fish. After a few observa- 
tions he was called away to other work, but returned and again took up the inquiry 
November 23, continuing it to January 10 following. 

General description of Lake Washington. — This lake is situated in King County, 
Washington. Its greatest length, which lies nearly due north and south, is 18 J miles, 
and its greatest width, from Mercer Slough across Mercer Island to the west shore, is 
about 4f miles. The greatest width of open water is about half a mile north of Mercer 
Island and is 3i miles. The narrowest channel lies between Mercer Island and a 
point on the east shore about J of a mile north of Mercer Slough. The city of Seattle 
is situated upon the west shore about equally distant from the north and south ends 
of the lake. There are numerous bays and indentations, which give the lake a total 
shore-line of about 58 miles. The lake has an elevation of 34 feet above low tide at 
Seattle. The principal outlet is Black River, at the extreme southern end of the lake. 
This river is 2J miles long, and unites with White River to form Duwamish River, 
which flows into Elliott or Duwamish- Bay a short distance south of Seattle. About 
a half mile below the lake Black River receives the Cedar River from the east. 



3G BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 

A few years ago a channel was cut from Union Bay through Lake Union to the 
sound. Considerable water flows through this channel and small boats are able to 
pass through it. 

At the north end Lake Washington receives Squak Slough, which is the outlet of 
Lake Sammamish. This slough runs in a tortuous channel through low, marshy 
ground, its width varying according to the height of water in the lakes which it con- 
nects. When the water is very high the slough overflows and covers the low laud on 
either side. 

During heavy rain the Duwamish Eiver is unable to carry off readily all the 
water brought down by the White, Cedar, and other streams, and as a result Black 
Biver becomes, for the time being, an inlet instead of an outlet of Lake Washington. 
The lake therefore rises perceptibly, the inflowing water from Lake. Sammamish is 
held back, and Squak Slough overflows the adjacent lowlands. 

Lake Washington is a beautiful body of water, surrounded by high hills from 
which a fine view of the surrounding country may be had. The Cascade Mountains 
are plainly seen to the eastward and on the south Mount Banier comes into 
conspicuous view. In many places steep banks make down to the water's edge, 
indicating deep water. Nearly all the hills are covered with a dense growth of 
trees, except where clearings have been made for homes and settlements. The shore 
line in nearly all parts is fringed with a dense undergrowth of brush and small trees; 
tule grass is found at every low point and slight indentation. Small trees along the 
shore interfere with the hauling of seines, and only limited collections can be made. 
In November and December a large amount of decayed vegetation covers portions of the 
shore. In summer various forms of minute animal and plant life iuhabit the water. 

Seine-hauling grounds. — Only in a few places along the shore of the entire lake is 
the bottom sufficiently free from snags, fallen trees, and other material to permit the 
successful hauling of nets. On the west side of the lake, about 2 miles above Union 
Bay, is a long stretch of sandy shore mixed with fine gravel; in June, 189C, several 
attempts were made to haul a seine here, but on account of the many obstacles no 
fish were taken. On the east side, at Hunter Boint, is a comparatively good ground, 
but tule grass grows in considerable quantities, though by wading out and bending it 
down where the seine is to be landed fairly good results can be obtained. Several 
hauls were made here and a number of fish taken. In fall and winter there is a 
great scarcity of life here, as several trials demonstrated. From Hunter Boint south- 
ward for about 2J miles the shore makes down to the lake with a gradual slope, but 
owing to the great amount of vegetation that extends in most places into the water, it 
is almost impossible to use a seine. This also may be said of Mercer Slough and the 
shore farther south. On the east side of Mercer Island the bank is usually quite steep; 
on its west side the land is more sloping. The water all round the island is deep. In 
the extreme southern portion of the lake, in the vicinity of Benton and Black Biver, 
the land is marshy and filled with small sloughs. The bottom is of soft mud. 

On the north and west sides of Lake Washington, from Webster Boint to Sand 
Point, are scattering sandy patches, but only in a few places can a seine be hauled, 
owing to a thick growth of scrubby trees at the water's edge. High banks in most 
places overhang the shore line. Northward from these points the land is more sloping 
and in some places comparatively level. Rocky and gravel beaches crop out from the 
banks in mauy places and in a number of indentations the water makes off shallow 



SALMON INVESTIGATIONS IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN IN 1896. 37 

from the whore a distance of 50 feet or more. The bottom here is very muddy and 
covered with tule. The shore on this side of the lake is thickly strewn with logs, 
slabs, and small floating' debris. Few rocks are noticeable, and none at any great 
distance from shore. 

The sandy and gravelly beaches referred to on the west side of the lake below 
Sand Point are usually narrow; only in one place observed is the beach over 10 feet 
wide; here the width from the water's edge to the bluff is about 30 feet. The clear 
ground indicates a smooth bottom, but stumps of trees and broken limbs prevent 
seine collecting. These beaches are formed by wave action, the water having washed 
away the base of the bluffs, leaving a deposit of sand and gravel. In many places, 
particularly on the west side of the lake, bushes and small trees have taken root in the 
sand and gravel deposit. Only in a few instances does the sand and gravel formation 
extend any great distance below the water's edge; 30 or 40 feet from the shore is soft 
muddy bottom. As is indicated by the high perpendicular bluffs, the beaches make off 
at a sharp angle, deep water being found a short distance from the shore. As a 
whole, the shore of Lake Washington is not well adapted to collecting with a seine. 

Depth and character of bottom. — Soundings were taken at different times and in 
various parts of Lake Washington. It has a uniform depth in the center, ranging 
from 13S to 222 feet. The character of the bottom is generally muddy. Off the mouth 
of Union Bay and near the boathouse at Madison street sandy bottom was found. Off 
and in the vicinity of Sand Point, 3J miles farther north, the bottom is composed of 
sand and gravel. This kind of bottom does not extend very far from the shore, from 
500 to SOU feet being about the limit. For nearly 2 miles south of Sand Point there 
are a number of sandy places along the shore, mostly covered with an undergrowth 
of bushes. In all other parts of the lake examined the bottom is chiefly of soft mud. 
On the east side of the lake, south of Hunt Point, the water is quite deep close to 
the shore; this is also true of the west side, south of Sand Point, and in many other 
parts. A depth of from 500 to 1,800 feet was reported off the northern end of Mercer 
Island and in the vicinity of Hunt Point. Comparatively deep water was found off 
these points, as will be seen by referring to the map, but no such depths as had been 
reported. About 1 mile along the shore above Kirkland a plateau from 00 to 100 feet 
wide, covered with vegetation, makes off from the shore. The water varies in depth 
from 10 to 20 feet, but suddenly deepens into 00 and 70 feet when the edge is reached. 
Temperature of water. — It will be noticed in the table of temperatures that near 
the shore on the east side of Mercer Island the temperature of the water at the surface 
varies considerably from that taken a short distance toward the middle of the channel. 
A difference of 24° is recorded, the bottom temperature in both soundings being the 
same. In no other part of the lake was such a marked difference found. Several 
tests of the water were made within a radius of 100 feet or more, all with the same 
result. A few hundred feet from this position, to the north, south, or east, 47° was 
found at the surface. It is said that thermal springs occur in this vicinity in a 
number of places. The temperature of the water at the bottom, however, does not 
indicate their presence. The lowest temperature found in the main body of the lake 
was 44J°, and the highest 48J°; the first in depths of 180 and 190 feet. In Union Bay, 
in 14 feet of water, a temperature of 41° was recorded both at the surface and the 
bottom. This low temperature was due, no doubt, to the cold weather, which at this 
time was quite severe. At no other place was such a low temperature found. 



38 



BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



The temperature of the air seemed to have no perceptible daily effect on the 
■water in deep portions of the lake. From November 23 to 30 the air varied but little, 
from 20° to 29° being about the minimum and maximum height. During December 
from 4.V to 48° was the approximate daily temperature. 

In depths over 150 feet the air ceased to have an effect on the water much below 
•40 feet from the surface. In a few places 50 feet below the surface was reached before 
the temperature remained constant. In depths less than 100 the temperature was 
found constant about 30 feet below the surface. 

It will be noticed that in a number of places in depths ranging from 40 to over 
200 feet the temperature both at the surface aud bottom is the same. Why this should 
be, when only a short distance away the difference between the surface and bottom is 
a degree or more, is not easily explained. 

.Many of the temperatures and soundings taken are recorded in the following table: 



Soundings and temperatures taken in Luke Washington. 



Date. 




u 


9 

■S3 

i. © 


Position. 


Date. 




g i 


s- ■ 

ij 

« © 


Position. 




~ 


~* 


eva 






— 


£—2 






£. 


— .i 


H-S 






o, 


H_ 


s-s 






8 


O ej 


Zi C2 






O 


■~ - 


a ei 






R 


'ri 


H 






a 


H 


H 






Feet 


y 


o y 






i; .i 


o Jj\ 


•P. 




Nov. 23 


35 


48} 


48J 


300 feet from shore, near 
Madi.on-street boathouse. 


Dec. 19* 


50 


49} 


46 


Close to shore east side of 
Mercer Island. 


24 
24 


14 
10 


45 

4.'. 


"! 


In various parts of Union 


19 


58 


47 


46 


300 feet from shore and 


Bay, which is a part of 
Lake Washington. 


19 


67} 


47 


46 


near last sounding. 
Halfway across channel 


25 


98 


48 


4S 


One fourth mile east of boat- 
houae. 










between Mercer Island 
and east shore. 


25 


156 


48 


47 


One-fourth mile east of last 


19 


55 


47 


46 


Near the east side of lake. 










station. 


19 


12 


46 


45 


Close to shore. 


25 


162 


48 


47 


Middle of lake. 


20 


70 


46 


46 


Half a mile north of last 


25 


150 


48 


47 


Two-thirds across lake. 










sounding. 


25 


144 


48 


47 


One-eighth mile from east 
side of lake. 


20 


87 


46 


46 


One-eighth mile west from 
last Bounding. 


25 


72 


48 


48 


300 feet from shore. 


20 


115} 


46 


47 


Halfway across east end 


27 


14 


41 


41 


In Union Bay: cold weather, 
air 28" and 30 : . 










Mercer Island to easl 
Bide of lake. 


27 


98 


47 


44 


Off mouth Union Bav. 


20 


174 


46} 


46 


Halfway between I>aphne 
Point and north end Mer- 


28 


150 


47 


47 


Do. 










28 


152 


47 


47 


Do. 










cer Island. 


Dec. 1 


96 


47 


47 


Do. 


23 


204 


46* 


45} 


Haifa mile east Webster 


' 1 


168 


47 


47 


11 mile SSE. from Madison- 










Point. 










street boathouse. 


23 


219 


46} 


45} 


Half a mile north last i 


1 


90 


47 


47 


14, mile east from Yesler- 










Bounding. 










street boathouse. 


23 


201 


46i 


45j 


Halt u mile northward last 


1 


114 


47 


46 


Two-thirdsaeross lake from 
pumping station to Mer- 










sounding. \ mile from 
shore. 










cer Island. 


23 


66 


46 


46 


Third of mile north and 


1 


156 


47 


46 


I Ine half mile oft' waterworks. 










close to shore. 


18 


2111 


41'.i 


46 


( >m- mile SE. from Madison- 
stn-.-t boathouse. 


23 


58} 


46} 


46} 


About 500 feet from Sand 
Point south near shore. 


18 


2M4 


46 


46 


One fourth mile SE. from 
Madison-street 1m tat house. 


23 


105 


47 


46 


About 200 feet from Sand 
Point NE. 


18 


218 


46} 


46 


1J mile SE. from Madison- 
Btreet boathouse. 


23 


181 


46} 


451 


Less than \ mile XE. from 
last sounding. 


18 


204 


46J 


46 


One-third of a mile SW. of 
Daphne Point. 


23 


168 


46} 


45 


Leas than g mile in same 

direction. 


18 


150 


46 


46 


i Ine i iulith of a mile SW. 
of Daphne Point. 


23 


180 


46} 


44* 


About the same distance 
farther on. 


18 


156 


46 


46 


on<* third mile off Meyden- 
bauer Ray. 


23 


190 


46} 


4*4 


Less than \ mile NE. last 
station. a 


19 


114 


46 


46 


Near middle of Meyden- 
baner Bav. 


23 


178 


46} 


45| 


Last deep sounding on 
this line. 


19 


69 


46 


46 


South side' of bay. (Other 
soundings taken in bay; 


23 


72 


46 


46 


Near opposite shore from 
Sand Point. 










same temperature.) 


23 


96 


46 


46 


Aboul 1,500 feet from shore. 


19 


12 


47J 


47 


Short distance south of 
Mevdenbaner Bay. 


23 


129 


46 


46 


About halfway from last 
station to Kirkland. 


19 


40 


47 


47 


One-third mile * farther 
south near shore. 













a Said to be thermal springs in near vicinity, which may account for the change of temperature. 



Bull. U. S. F. C. 1897. (To face page 38.) 



Plate 1. 



"A^ 



SEATTLE 



Map of Lake Washington, Wash., show- 
ing soundings, in feet, taken by the 
U. S. Fish Commission, in November 
and December, 1896. 




Bay. 



SALMON INVESTIGATIONS IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN IN 1896. 39 

During the wiuter months short periods of cold weather sweep over this part of 
the Northwest, but not sufficiently severe for ice to form in the main portion of Lake 
Washington. Occasionally skim ice appears on the margin of the lake in sheltered 
places covering small areas. 

Trials with {/ill nets and other apparatus. — On November 23 the first trial with 
gill nets for whiteflsh was made in 35 feet of water, 300 feet from the shore, at a point 
where it is said that an example of this species had been taken. Two nets were set, 
and remained down 48 hours. They were visited on three different occasions during 
that time, but no fish were found in them. The reason for setting nets in such 
shallow water for whiteflsh, was in compliance with a request made by the person who 
claimed to have caught a specimen on the above-mentioned ground in the fall of 1892. 
It was taken on a hook, which throws considerable doubt as to its being the true 
whiteflsh. So far as we have been able to learn no other specimen has since been seen. 

On November 24 three more gill nets were set about 1£ miles from first position 
on the south side of Union Bay. Here also whiteflsh had been reported. Depth of 
water, 15 feet; temperature of water at bottom and at surface, 45°; bottom muddy. 
These nets remained in the water three days, and were visited each morning. No fish 
were found in them. 

On November 26 three nets were set at the head of Union Bay, in 10 feet of water, 
close to the shore, where fish are said to be plentiful in summer; also two other nets 
near outlet or portage, about three-quarters of a mile farther south. In this place 
anglers have good fishing, and it was thought that if fish were running in any consid- 
erable numbers the nets would be likely to take samples of different species. The 
nets set at the head of the bay were taken up the following morning, nothing being 
found in them. Those set near the outlet remained down two days, and were visited 
each morning. The second morning one cut throat trout and one chub were taken 
from them. During the time the nets were down a number of cut-throat trout, chub, 
and suckers had been taken on hook and line. Sounding and collecting with surface 
tow net had also been carried on whenever the weather permitted. 

On November 27 three gill nets were set near the bottom, off the mouth of Union 
Bay, in 18 feet of water, bottom hard sand, where they remained two days. Nothing 
was found in them when taken up. It is reported that large numbers of fish pass over 
this ground, and it was thought that our efforts would be rewarded by a few specimens. 
The result of this trial indicates that at this season fish do not move in great numbers. 
The same nets were set in 06 feet of water about a quarter of a mile farther off shore, 
where the bottom temperature was 3° warmer than at last station. The nets were, 
as before, set near the bottom, but without result. Had whiteflsh or other species 
been traveling over this ground a few would have been captured. 

A small creek that flows into the head or western part of Union Bay was next 
investigated. This creek is said to abound with trout in summer and with redfish in 
early fall. The water in the upper part of the creek flows with considerable velocity 
over a gravelly bottom. It is from 4 to 5 feet wide in most places, and about 7 or 8 
inches deep; there are a few pools whose depth is nearly 2 feet. The creek is largely 
fed by seepage from the surrounding hills. At the time of our visit the weather was 
cold and the ground covered with snow, and in many places ice had formed. The 
stream empties into a marshy lagoon where it finds its way, through several smaller 
ones, into Union Bay. 



40 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 

Repeated trials with a small collecting seine at tlie mouth of the creek were made, 
but nothing was taken in it. Only one fish, thought to be a redfish, was seen, and it 
escaped under a fallen tree. Unsuccessful hauls were also made from a half to three- 
quarters of a mile upstream. Hook-and-line fishing was also tried, with the same 
result, salmon eggs being used for bait. At the mouth of the creek a salamander was 
found, and this was the only form of life seen, except the supposed redfish. 

On December 11 gill nets were set in a number of places, from a half to three- 
quarters of a mile apart, in Squak Slough at the head of Lake Washington, in 9 and 10 
feetof water. They were visited twice in 48 hours, nothing being found in them. The 
bottom temperature in the places where they were set was 44.] , surface 45] . During 
the entire investigation the water in the slough was unusually high, and this prob- 
ably had a great deal to do with the scarcity of fish here, for at such times, instead of 
following the main channel, fish would naturally scatter over a large area, thereby 
greatly lessening the chances of taking them. Troll fishing was tried, but with unsat- 
isfactory results. 

Nearly all of December IS was spent in sounding and taking water temperatures. 
In the afternoon four nets were set on the north side of Meydenbauer Bay; depth, 102 
feet; bottom and surface temperature, 40°. Nothing being in the nets the following 
morning they were taken up and set on the north side of Mercer Slough, nearly 3 miles 
farther down the lake. A trial for 48 hours resulted iu the capture of one female 
cut-throat trout, the eggs of which were approaching a state of ripeness. Two other 
specimens subsequently taken showed the same amount of development. Several 
creeks on the west side of the lake were investigated but no fish were found. 

Whitefish. — There is no satisfactory evidence of whitefish ever having been caught 
in Lake Washington, though several persons claim to have seen them. One person 
says in the fall of 1892 he caught a specimen, but no accurate description was given 
as to its shape or color, and Prof. O. B.Johnson and State Fish Commissioner James 
Crawford doubt whether it was the genuiue whitefish, and believe that the whitefish 
planted iu the lake no longer exist. The investigation strengthens this opinion. The 
Columbia chub (Mylocheilus caurintis) is a common species in the lakes of this region, 
and is by many people known as '• whitefish." It is not improbable that all the 
so-called " whitefish" which have been reported from Lake Washington were really 
this species of minnow. Williamson's whitefish (Coregonus williamsoni) doubtless 
occurs here, but no specimens were seen. 

Other fishes of Lake Washington. — The various species of fishes collected during 
these investigations, as well as all other species known to occur in Lake Washington, 
are listed in another part of this report. The principal species are the cut-throat 
trout, Columbia River chub, squawfish, Columbia River sucker, a blob, two or three 
other species of Gyprinida, and the redfish. Salmon are said to enter the lake 
through Black River early in the fall, but none was seen. They are probably the 
large form of the redfish or sockeye ( Oncorhynehus nerka). Redfish are said to run up 
into shallow places during the latter part of October and a part of November, but 
repeated trials resulted in collecting only a few specimens. Those familiar with the 
different runs of fish on the lake attribute the scarcity of redfish this season to high 
water. In Squak Slough, where they are said to run in great numbers, not a specimen 
was seen or taken, though before the water began to rise in the slough a considerable 
body of these fish was reported as passing through. Black bass are occasionally 



SALMON INVESTIGATIONS IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN IN 1896. 41 

taken in Lake Washington, and they are at times quite plentiful in Lake Union, which 
supplies all the black bass to the Seattle market. The yellow perch (Perm flarescens) 
has also become well established in this lake. 

LAKE SAMMAMISH, WASHINGTON. 

While engaged in carrying on observations upon Lake Washington Mr. Alexander 
made a trip, December 31 to .January C, to Lake Sammamish, a short distance to the 
eastward. He gives the following account of this lake and the investigations: 

This body of water lies parallel to Lake Washington, the two lakes being sepa 
rated by a hilly strip of country, the most narrow part being 34 miles across. The 
greatest distance between the lakes is 8 miles. 

Lake Sammamish is 38 feet above low-water mark at Seattle and i feet above 
Lake Washington. The land separating the southern portion of the bodies of water 
might be termed mountainous; many of the hills rise from 1.000 to 1,500 feet from 
their base, and are covered mostly with a dense growth of trees. A road cut through 
the forest from the west shore of Lake Sammamish to the east side of Lake Washing- 
ton is traveled considerably during the summer months. A boat connecting at the 
end of the road carries passengers across Lake Washington and lands them in Seattle 
much sooner than if they traveled by rail. 

The length of Lake Sammamish is 8 miles; its greatest width (about halfway 
between its north and south points) is 1% miles. Its narrowest part is near the 
northern end, a little over half a mile from shore to shore. From Inglewood, in the 
northern part, to Monohan on the south it has a nearly uniform width of about 14 miles. 
It lies nearly in a north-and south direction; a line being drawn north from the south 
end would strike 1 mile east of its most northern part. The Seattle and Lake Shore 
Railroad strikes the lake at Adelaide, and follows the east shore the entire length. 
Three small towns are situated near the shore on the east side. The most important 
is Monohan, near the south end. On the west side a number of settlers have made 
considerable clearings. Opposite Monohan is a huge pile of sawdust, which extends 
for a considerable distance into the lake, and when the water is rough small chunks 
of it are washed away. It being water-soaked, most of it that falls into the lake 
immediately sinks. The sawdust coming from the mill at .Monohan is burned. 

Topography of the share. — The shore in most parts of Lake Sammamish is com- 
posed chiefly of sand and gravel, forming numerous beaches. These beaches, when 
the water is at its normal height, are exposed. At the time of our visit to the lake 
(December 31 to January C) the water was about 4 feet higher than in summer; it had 
then fallen 2 feet since the middle of December. Judging from the condition of the 
lake at high water, the beaches when exposed must be from 8 to 12 feet wide, measur- 
ing from the water's edge to the bank. In most places they extend offshore at a 
sharp angle. Except in a few places, where the sandy and gravelly beaches appear, the 
bottom makes off gradually and its character is either hard or soft mud. The south- 
ern shore of the lake is skirted by low marsh land, which extends from the southwest 
to the southeast side. Here several small creeks empty into the lake, which, no doubt, 
have contributed largely to the marsh land. 

The hills bordering the southern portion of the lake descend with a more gradual 
slope than those on the east and west sides. The land in the immediate vicinity of 
the lake is not more than •! or 5 feet higher than the level of the water, gradually 



42 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 

rising for a distance of about a mile before the foothills are reached. Many portions 
of this slope have been cleared. Off the points in this part of the lake, from 30 to 40 
feet from the shore, thick clusters of tule are submerged in water from 7 to 10 feet 
deep. Later in the seasou a large portion of the ground in which this grass grows is 
exposed. Soundings were made along the outer edges of these strips and points 
without finding any indications of hard bottom. 

On the east and west sides of the lake the steep hills rise within a short distance 
from the water; in many places projecting points and bluffs rise very abruptly, with 
little or no shore line at their base. The bottom close to these projections is hard, 
being composed of a mixture of sand, coarse gravel, and small stones. The hilly land 
is covered with a dense growth of trees, extending to the water's edge, and at times 
when the water is high it is very difficult to walk any distance along the shore 
without swinging from one bough of a tree to another. When the water is low or at 
its average height the sand and gravel beaches here are bare. 

At the foot of the lake, on the northeast side near Squak Slough, a low point 
of land extends for a considerable distance southward. From this point south, a 
distance of nearly 2 miles, the shore is composed of sand and gravel beaches. On 
the west side and north from where the last line of soundings was begun the hills 
gradually descend to the shore, and in a number of places toward the foot of the 
lake the land is quite level. The shore line along the northwest and northeast portions 
of the lake is covered with logs, slabs, and pieces of timber, refuse material that comes 
from the shingle mill situated near the north end and the sawmill near the south end. 
The greater part of this material is found in the northeast portion of the lake, being 
forced there by the southwest winds. 

On the west side of the lake, near its southern end, is a submerged forest, about 
half a mile long north and south, extending nearly a third of the distance across 
toward the east side. The northern end of the forest commences near the pile of 
sawdust already mentioned. It runs parallel to the shore and is separated from it 
by a distance of about 000 feet. During the summer months it is said that the tops 
of many of the trees project above the water from 1 to 2 feet. The lake then is much 
clearer thau in winter, and on a bright day, when the water is smooth, a large portion 
of the forest, according to the statement of people living at the lake, is plainly visible. 
Owing to the muddy condition of the water, caused by the heavy rains, we were 
unable to find any of the trees. Many theories are advanced by people living near 
the lake as to how the forest came to be in its present position. The most common 
theory is that at some remote period a gigantic landslide occurred and the displaced 
material found a resting-place at the bottom of the lake. Considering that the nearest 
hills where a landslide of such magnitude could have started are situated nearly 2 
miles from the lake with comparatively level country lying between, this theory is not 
altogether tenable. A large tract of land becoming detached from the side of a moun- 
tain and carried along rapidly by its own weight a distance of a mile or more from its 
starting point would by the time it reached its destination be a huge mass of trees, 
earth, and stones. The trees would be more or less broken, and not left standing in 
an upright position. It is also likely that if the forest in question had suddenly been 
detached from the side of one of the adjacent mountains it would have stopped on 
arriving at comparatively level ground, but instead we find it deposited a long distauce 
from hills of any great size. If, however, such had beeu the case, and it was forced 



SALMON INVESTIGATIONS IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN IN 1896. 43 

along over level ground, we might expect to find that part of the lake where the land 
slide was deposited more shallow than elsewhere; but, on the contrary, we find a 
depth of water varying from 50 to 70 feet, which corresponds with depths found in 
other parts of the lake the same distance from the shore. It seems more reasonable 
to suppose that at some distant period the ground on which this forest grew, subsided. 
This, in a measure, would account for the trees being left standing in their natural 
position. Not having seen any portion of the submerged forest, we are not able to 
state from personal observation anything concerning it, only stating what has been 
given by several reliable parties. Efforts were made to locate some of the trees, but 
none of them could be found with the sounding line. 

Depth of water and character of bottom. — Lake Sammamish is quite uniform in 
depth, varying from 70 to 90 odd feet in the middle and from 35 to 50 feet near the 
shore. The deepest sounding was found near the middle of the lake, about halfway 
across from Hattie Bell Springs to the west shore. A line of soundings run across 
the upper part a short distance below the shingle mill corresponds nearly with the 
line across the south end of the lake. In no part of the lake examined are there indi- 
cations of plateaus or shelves making off from the shore. Only in a few places was 
shallow water found, and this extended but a short distance from the shore. In nearly 
all parts of the lake along its margin the bottom drops off suddenly, the water being 
deep enough for boats and small steamers to lie alongside and discharge freight or 
passengers. 

From SO to 100 feet from the shore is the average distance where the sand and 
gravel merge into the hard or soft mud. A number of places, however, were found 
where sand and gravel bottom extends from 125 to 300 feet into the lake; one of these 
places is on the w T est side, opposite Hattie Bell Springs, and the other off the wharf 
on which the sawmill at Monohau is built. 

At the foot of the lake, above the shingle mill, the bottom is very soft and in the 
center between the east and west sides the mud is said to be several feet deep, and this 
statement is probably not exaggerated, for in running the line of soundings which ends 
just below the shingle mill the sounding lead, nearly all the way across, sank into the 
soft bottom a foot or more. 

Inlets. — Numerous small creeks empty into the lake both on the east and west sides, 
but the discharge of water is not great even during the rainy season, and in summer 
many of them dry up, they being fed by the drainage from the surrounding hills. The 
principal inlets are Issaquah and Manner creeks, which enter the lake on the south 
end. The main portion of the first creek is 2 miles long and the second about 3 miles, 
each having several branches from i to 2i miles long. The water in Issaquah Creek 
is said to be very clear during the summer and fall months, or was previous to the 
coal company using the creek as a dumping ground for coal screenings, since which 
time the water has become muddy. There are a number of coal mines in this region, 
and the people complain of the screenings from them being dumped into the creeks, 
thereby doing considerable injury to the fishing grounds. 

Outlet. — Squak Slough, or Sammamish River, is the only outlet to the lake. This 
at times is not large enough to prevent the water in the lake from rising rapidly, and 
when Lake Washington rises at the same time, which is usually the case, and forces 
the water from the slough into Lake Sammamish, both lakes rise rapidly. At the 



44 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 

time of visiting Lake Sammamish the water had overflown the channel of the slough 
from a quarter to a half mile; its average width for the part visited is less than 100 
feet, in some places not over 50 feet. Its length is about 12 miles; its course, as indi- 
cated on the map, is very crooked, and it is navigable for small craft only. 

Temperatures. — The water temperatures dining our investigation varied but little, 
and in many parts of the lake there is no difference. In the first line of soundings 
run across the lake the surface and bottom temperatures were the same. The weather 
at the time was rainy, misty, and cold. In the second line a difference of 1° was 
found in two places, each in a depth of 90 feet. At the surface the thermometer 
registered 45° and at the bottom 44°. In the third line the depths were from 33 to 92 
feet, with no variation in temperature. The fourth line, run the same day, shows in 
eight different soundings 45° at the surface and 44i° at the bottom. The fifth line, 
run across the head of the lake, showed no difference; but in a number of soundings 
taken on the west side, near where a small brook empties into the lake, the water was 
1° warmer at the surface than at the bottom. The depths here were comparatively 
shallow. The last line of soundings run, which was across the foot of the lake, also 
showed the water to be 1° warmer at the surface than at the bottom. This difleience 
may possibly have been because the weather was warm and pleasant, while most of 
the time, when the other soundings were taken, it was rainy and foggy and the 
temperature of the air from 44° to 50°. On this day, January G, it registered 00° a 
greater part of the day. 

Where the water at the surface was warmer than at the bottom it was found that 
the warm water extended from 5 to 8 feet below the surface; where the temperature 
at the bottom was warmer than at the surface the water was constant from 15 to IS 
feet from the bottom. The thermometer was let down at various depths, in most 
cases at intervals of 10 feet, no variation in temperature being noticed until the above 
distance from the bottom was reached. In a few places, however, within 10 feet of 
the bottom the water remained constant. 

Condition of water. — In the fall and winter, when the lake is high, the water is con- 
siderably discolored by vegetable matter and sediment washed from the surrounding 
hills and brought down by the swollen creeks. This gradually disappears as the rain 
ceases, after which the water becomes clear. The fish then bite better than at any 
other time, there being less food in the water for them to subsist upon. 

Lake Sammamish, like Lake Washington, never freezes over. W 7 hen the weather 
is unusually severe skim ice sometimes forms near the edge in shallow places, but the 
deep water does not freeze. 

Fishing trials. — From December 31 to January sounding, taking temperatures, 
collecting with surface tow net, and fishing with gill nets and troll were carried on. 
The weather most of the time was stormy. Fishing with gill nets was unsuccessful. 
They were set in various places and in different depths, visited twice each day, and 
in the evening set in a different place. Inquiries were made of fishermen as to where 
fish would most likely be found, but nothing was caught. A trawl was the only 
stationary apparatus used that captured anything, and this caught only one chub and 
a blob. 

Fishing with troll line was fairly successful, five cut-throat trout being taken. 
The weather was unsuitable for this kind of fishing. To meet with good results the 
weather should be moderate and much warmer than it was during the time these trials 



SALMON INVESTIGATIONS IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN IN 1896. 45 

were ruade. Fishermen say that in summer, and at other times when the weather is 
pleasant, it is comparatively easy to catch from twenty-rive to thirty trout in a day by 
trolling. 

Trout would bite only when the wind was light and the lake smooth. During the 
day, whenever there was little wind stirring, they could be seen jumping or breaking 
water in all parts of the lake, but they did not bite as ravenously as was expected, 
probably on account of the creeks having brought down considerable quantities of 
vegetable and other matter, such as they may feed upon. Fishermen claim that the fish 
never bite well when the lake is high. Several good examples, however, were caught 
in the few trials made. When fish are at all inclined to bite, a trawl will usually 
pick up a variety of species. The trawl set (90-odd hooks) was baited with fresh chub 
and meat, and good results were expected of it, but in this we were disappointed. 

The trout taken by trolling were caught close to the shore, that being the part of 
the lake where the fishermen troll when the water is high. Fish were breaking water 
in the middle of the lake, but none was captured. In summer good fishing is to be 
had in all parts. 

Methods of fishing. — The principal method of taking fish in Lake Sammamish is 
by trolling, though good catches are sometimes made with set line and with rod and 
line. In summer the lake is quite a resort for sportsmen from Seattle. No commercial 
fishing is carried on, all fish caught being locally consumed, except the few taken to 
Seattle by people belonging there. 

Kinds of fish. — The economic species of fish found in Lake Sammamish are the 
same as those of Lake Washington, namely, cutthroat trout, "grayling," or red fish, 
and salmon. No examples of the last two species were found, they having disappeared 
shortly after the water in the lake began to rise in November. About that time it is 
said that redfish were plentiful in Squak Slough and in the creeks at the head of the 
lake. Salmon run with the ledrish, but only scattering individuals are taken. No 
information could be obtained as to what kind of salmon enter the lake; but the dog 
salmon and an occasional steelhead probably find their way into this body of water. 
During the redfish run the neighboring Indians do considerable (isliing on Squak 
Slough, and lay in their supply for winter. Only one person living near the lake 
claims to have caught a whitefish in it, and he was not sure that the specimen was a 
genuine whitefish; others who saw the fish say that it was not, but admit that the 
fish differed from any previously taken in the lake. 

Spawning habits. — People living near Lake Sammamish say that the cut-throat 
trout spawn in the spring and the condition of most of the specimens indicates that 
they are correct in their observations. One taken in Lake Washington contained eggs 
well advanced, but this fish would hardly indicate a difference in the spawning season 
between the two lakes, as fish can easily pass from one lake to the other. The redfish 
probably spawn some time in November, that being the time they run iu greatest 
numbers. Only a few specimens were taken, and they were not sufficiently developed 
to form an estimate as to the month in which they spawn, but people who have 
caught and observed the redfish, both in Lake Sammamish and Lake Washington, 
believe that the spawning season is from the latter part of October to the middle of 
November. To gain a better knowledge as to the habits of this species in this region 
some person should be stationed at these lakes early in the fall, before the rainy season 
comes on. 



46 



BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



It is said that redfish run only for a short time, that they disappear as suddenly 
as they come, and few are seen in any part of the lakes after the run is over. Almost 
everj- person with whom we conversed on the subject expressed the opinion that the 
redtish, or "grayling," as they are commonly called, annually come in from the ocean; 
but some believe that they never leave the lake, but retire into the deep parts of the 
lake as soon as the spawning season is over. Positive knowledge on the subject is 
lacking. The few specimens taken in Lake Washington would hardly warrant an 
opinion to be formed as to their habits in these lakes. It would be necessary to observe 
a considerable number from the time they first appear until they leave. 

Surface material. — Collecting with surface tow net was carried on at different 
intervals. As was the case on Lake Washington, surface life was found most abun- 
dant in the evening; at other times a trial of 15 or 20 minutes would result in a small 
quantity of material. 

Depth of water, temperature, and character of bottom of Lake Sammamish. 



1896. 
Dec. 31 
31 
31 
31 
31 
31 
31 
31 
31 

31 
1897. 
Jan. 1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 

1 
2 
2 
2 
2 
2 
2 
2 
2 
2 



Depth 

of 
water. 



Feet. 

a 191 
61 
9Q 
102 
90 
84 
82J 
76* 
00" 

13 

632 
01* 
80 
87J 
90 
90 
87 
80 
73 
70 
69J 
51 
36 

28 
C61i 
66* 
70 
85J 
88 
92 
91J 
33 
d32J 

83J 



Character 

of 

bottom. 



Hard sand . . - 

Hard mud 

Soft mud 

do 

...do 

....do 

....do 

do 

Hard mud. 

sand 

Gravel 

Sand 

Soft mud 

....do 

....do 

do 

....do 

....do 

....do 

....do 

....do , 

--..do 

....do 

Sand and 

gravel 

do 

Soft mud 

-...do 

....do 

....do 

....do 

....do 

....do 

Hard sand 

Hard sand and 

gravel 

Softmnd 



Tem- 
per- 
ature 
of 
surface 



Tern- 

per- 

ature 

of 

bottom. 



°F. 


°F. 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


44 


45 


44 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


15 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


44J 



1897. 
Jan. 



Depth 

of 
water. 



Feet. 
85 
93* 
93 
90 
991 
88 
87 
80 
75 
30 
12 
19 
44 



74 
79 
811 
84 
66 
50 
c5 
24 
6 
27 
30 
/6 
57 
621 



70 

72 

70 

67* 

42" 

101 



Character 

of 

bottom. 



Softmnd 

...do 

do 

do 

... do 

....do 

'.'.'..do '.'.'.'.'.'.'. 

... do 

do 

.-..do 

....do 

Hard sand . . . 

Softmud 

...do 

...do 

do 

....do 

...do 

... .1 

....do 

Hard gravel. . 

'.'.'.'.do '.'.'.'..'.'. 

...do 

...do 

...do 

Softmnd 

...do 

..-.do 

....do 

....do 

...do 

....do 

...do 

....do 

Coarse gravel 



Tem- 


Tem- 


per- 


per- 


ature 


ature 


of 


of 


surface. 


bottom. 


°F. 


°F. 


45 


441 


45 


441 


45 


441 


45 


441 


45 


44J 


45 


441 


45 


441 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


45 


46 


45 


46 


45 


46 


45 


46 


45 


45 


45 


46 


45 


46 


45 


46 


45 


46 


45 


46 


45 


46 


45 


46 


45 


46 


45 


46 


45 


46 


451 


46 


46 



a About 20 feet from bridge; first line sounding. 
b Second line of soundings 250 feet from sawmill. 
c Commencement of third line of soundings. 



d Commencement of fourth line of soundings 

e Soundings close to a brook. 

/Sixth Udc of soundings 20 feet from shore. 



Bull. U. S. F. C. 1897. (To face page 46.) 



Plate 2. 



Adelaide. 



Shingle Mill. 



«"— tine of soundwg-3. 



Ingle wood. 



Lake Sammamish, near Seattle, Wash., 
showing soundings taken by U. S. 
Fish Commission, in December, 1896, 
and January, 1897. 




\ StA Zing ofsotuidzngs 



SALMON INVESTIGATIONS IN COLUMBIA EIVER BASIN IN 1896. 47 

LAKE UNION, WASHINGTON, 

The following notes on Lake Union nave been furnished by Mr. Alexander : 

This body of water lies close to the city of Seattle. Its length, measured in a 
straight line from north to south, is li miles; width, halfway between the north and 
south ends, three-quarters of a mile. Branching out from the head of the lake are 
two arms, one leading to the northeast and the other to the northwest. Measured 
from the foot of the northeast arm the hike has a length of 3^ miles. 

Lake Union has a quite uniform depth in the center; the greatest depth, 48 feet, 
is found in nearly all parts of the main body a quarter of a mile from the shore. In 
the northeast arm the soundings varied from 24 to 27 feet. Near the shore, except in 
places where there is marsh land, the depth is from 18 to 25 feet. In the south end 
of the northeast arm the land is marshy; also off the point extending into the northern 
part of the lake between the two arms. In most other parts grass land extends down 
to the water's edge with a gradual slope. On the east side the land is quite level and 
covered with willow and other trees. This strip of land extends back from the lake 
for a considerable distance, when it suddenly runs into high bluffs. 

The laud surrounding the lake for the most part is high and was at one time 
heavily wooded, but now only small clumps of trees are left standing, most of the once 
great forest having given way to town sites aud buildings. Skirting the north shore 
runs the Seattle and Lake Shore Railroad. The shore is thickly settled, except on the 
east and northeast sides. 

The bottom in nearly all parts is mud, in some places intermingled with fine sand. 

From the 2d to the 8th of December gill nets were set in ten different places, 
taking 4 salmon, 1 cutthroat trout, and 2 suckers. In no place were the nets down 
less than 24 hours, and in one place they remained down 72 hours. They were set in 
places best adapted for this kind of fishing and where black bass had been caught 
in greatest numbers. Trolling for black bass was carried on at different times, but 
nothing was caught. The season was too late for them, but it was thought that the 
gill nets might capture a specimen or two. 

During the summer black bass are frequently taken by trolling, and it is reported 
that they are sometimes taken in nets secretly set for their capture. This method is 
illegal, but is carried on to some extent. Only a few black bass have been caught in 
Lake Washington, and those planted in this lake in 1890 soon found their way into 
Lake Union, where they are said to be quite plentiful during the summer months. 
Why they should find the water in Lake Union better suited to their wants than 
where they were planted is not easily explained. It can not be due wholly to the 
difference in the coudition of the water, for Lake Washington largely supplies Lake 
Union. The theory that presents itself to account for these fish being found in Lake 
Union and not in Lake Washington is that in the former lake small surface life is 
much more abundant. The collections made in the two lakes show a considerable 
difference in the amount taken in each trial. 

In winter the temperature of water of this lake is several degrees colder than 
that of Lake Washington, though ice seldom forms, and only when the winter is 
unusually severe does the lake freeze over; it is probable that in summer Lake Union 
is the warmer, it being shallow. 



48 



BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



Temperatures taken in Lake Union. 









Temperature. 








Temperature. 


Date. 


Time. 


Depth. 




Hate. 


Time. 


Depth. 
















Surface Bottom 


1896. 






Surface 


Bottom. 


1896. 




Feet. 


°F. 


°F. 




Feet. 


°F. 


I' 


[>.'. 2 


9.00 a.m 


6 


42 


44 


Dec. 2 


4.20 p. m_ 


24 


43 


42 


2... 


11.00 a.m 


21 


42 


44 


2.... 


4.45 p. m 


27 


42 


43 


2... 


3.20)1. m 


12 


42 


42 


3.... 


10.30 a.m 


48 


43 


42 


2... 


3.30 p. m 


48 


43 


42 


3.... 


12.15 p. m 


48 


43 


42 


■J... 


3.40 ]i. m 


36 


43 


42 


3.... 


l.oOp. m 


9 


41 


42 


I... 


J. 00 p. ni 


24 


43 


42 













SIUSLAW RIVER, OREGON. 

In 1S94 the State of Oregon erected a building on the Siuslaw River at Mapleton, 
Oregon, with the intention of conducting salmon-cultural operations at that place. 
This building finally reverted to the original owner of the land upon which it was 
located. Believing that this station could be successfully and profitably operated, the 
owner, through Mr. L. E. Bean, of Mapleton, kindly offered its free use to the United 
States Fish Commission for that purpose. In response to this offer Dr. Meek and Mr. 
Alexander were instructed to visit the station and make such examination as would 
determine the probability of its being operated advantageously. The preliminary 
inquiry, made early in September, showed that it would be necessary to catch the fish 
at the fishing-ground, several miles below the station, and retain them in boxes until 
ripe. It was thought that this could be done and that the boxes could be floated on the 
tide up to the station. This could be determined only through experimentation. Dr. 
Meek was therefore instructed to return to Mapletou and thoroughly test the matter. 

General description of Sittxhtiv River. — The Siuslaw liiver is one of the short 
coastal streams in Oregon whose basin is confined entirely to the western slope of the 
Coast Range. From its mouth to its source is a distance of about 100 miles. It drains 
a very broken country, which is quite heavily timbered. From the mouth of Wildcat 
Creek to near the mouth of North Fork the river flows through a canyon A to 3 miles 
in width. The hills or mountains on each side of the canyon are from 200 to over 1,000 
feet above the river and are very steep. At the mouth of Korth Fork is a large area 
which is covered by water only at high tide. This region, known as the mud flats, is 
on the north side of the river and includes most of the distance between Acme and 
Florence. At Florence the river turns nearly north and then curves slightly toward 
the west. The right-hand bank is, for the most part, a low bluff of soft sandstone; 
the left is bordered by sand hills. 

The Siuslaw River above the mouth of Wildcat Creek was not visited, but from 
what we were able to learn that portion is quite similar in all respects to the part 
immediately below that creek, except that gravel bars become much more frequent as 
you ascend the river. From the mouth of Wildcat < 'reek to the head of tide, a distance 
of about 24 miles, the bottom of the river is sandstone in situ, over which, in many 
places, are scattered large, angular, somewhat water-worn, sandstone bowlders. The 
river above head of tide water is from 00 to 200 feet in width, and during the summer 
in many places the water is less than 2 feet in depth. 

The canyon is cut through sandstone, which in some places is nearly horizontal, 
while in others it is tilted more or less, seldom more than 30°. The only portion 
noticed which showed signs of being metamorphic is a bluff on the right hand of the 
river between Seaton and Mapleton. 



SALMON INVESTIGATIONS IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN IN 1896. 49 

The timber in the region drained by theSiuslaw is chiefly fir, some cedar, hemlock, 
spruce, maple, and alder. Some of the alders are as much as is inches in diameter, 
and some of the fir trees a short distance west of the summit of the Coast Range are 
very high. There is also in this region a very rich growth of ferns, chiefly the common 
Pteris. A large portion of the timber along the lower 30 miles of the Siuslaw was 
destroyed by lire some sixty years ago. This is being replaced by an undergrowth of 
fir, alder, maple, etc. The timber bordering the sand hills is mostly bull pine. 

The North Fork of Siuslaw River is much smaller than the main river. In the 
neighborhood of Minerva the deeper holes in the river are from 20 to 50 feet wide, the 
shallow places connecting these holes being about half this width. Along the river, 
for a distance above tide water of about 8 miles, are many gravel bars over which the 
water flows during the summer in depths varying from a few inches to about 3 feet. 
The timber along the North Fork is similar to that on the main river, the under or 
smaller growth immediately on the banks beiny some denser. Very little timber along 
the North Fork below Minerva has been destroyed and scarcely none above that place. 
The water in North Fork is clear, though considerably stained 1>\ vegetation, much 
more so than in the main fork. 

The water in the Siuslaw in the summer is moderately clear, though slightly 
discolored by vegetation. It also contains a fine silt or sediment of some sort, which 
collects on the web of gill nets. At flood tide, about halfway between Florence and 
Mapleton, the water appears of a reddish color, apparently due to the mingling of the 
comparatively fresb with the brackish water, the salt in the brackish water precipi- 
tating the clay sediment in the fresher water. During the summer, at the head of 
navigation, the water at all times is too brackish for steamboat boiler use. 

The head of tide water is about half a mile above Seaton. About half a mile 
below Seaton is an island in the river, on either side of which, at low tide, the water in 
the deepest place is less than ■"> feet. Small steamers drawing about 3.t feet of water 
can not pass this island in summer except at from half to full tide. 

Mapleton is 1 mile below Seaton. Below Mapleton in summer and at low tide the 
water in the shallow portions of the river is seldom less than Id or 12 feet in depth. 
Seaton is properly the head of tide water. Mapleton the head of navigation. 

The river below Mapleton will average at least twice as wide as it does above it, 
and it varies in depth at low tide in summer from 10 to 12 feet to as much as 60 feet. 

On October 10 a scries of bottom temperatures from Martin Creek to Acme was 
taken. The temperature of the air at 8 a. m. was ~>7 : surface of the water at Martin 
Creek, 57 c ; bottom at same place at a depth of 15 feet. 58°. This bottom temperature 
decreased as we approached the lower portion of the river until at Acme, in 30 feet of 
water, it was 54°. 

The fishermen, methods of fishing, etc. — The fishermen on the Siuslaw River are with 
few exceptions Americans, Norwegians, and Indians. The fishing on the main river 
is done for the most part by the Americans and Norwegians, on the North Fork 
mostly by Indians. During the past season about three-fourths of the fishermen were 
permanent residents on the river; the remaining one-fourth were mostly from the 
Columbia River, and in general they restricted their fishing to the lower 8 miles of 
the river, using drift nets. The resident fishermen are further up the river and set 
their nets in the ordinary way. Each fisherman regards himself as privileged to fish 
anywhere along the river he chooses. The. fact that a man owns property on the river 

F. C. IS. 1897—4 



50 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 

is apparently no reason why be should restrict his fishery to his own water front or 
prevent anyone else from fishing there. For convenience each resident sets his nets 
as near his home as possible and has usually a number of well-defined sets, which are 
sometimes marked. These sets are the places which he regards as the best in which 
to catch fish, and are free from snags. One fisherman will seldom intentionally use 
a set belonging to another. 

During the past year very little attention was given to the. " Saturday night law." 
It was said that this has not only been the case in past years on the Siuslaw River, 
but that it is practically a dead letter on all of the streams in Oregon. The lishermeii 
on the Siuslaw seem to agree that all of them would profit as well by respecting it as 
by breaking it. A few persist in setting their nets or drifting Saturday nights and, 
in order that these few men may have no advantage over the others, they, too, put 
out their nets ou Saturday nights. 

According to the law the fishing season closes on the Siuslaw River November 1. 
This law, of course, is intended for all of the coastal streams in Oregon, and as the 
time of the run of salmon, especially of silver salmon, varies somewhat in the differ- 
ent rivers the law does not protect all alike. In the Siuslaw Eiver the largest run of 
silver salmon occurs anywhere from October 2.1 to November 10. About this time the 
first fall rains begin and a gradual rise in the river is accompanied by an increased run 
of silver salmon. In 1S96 the rains began October 24. The river did not rise much 
until the night of November 7, when it rose about 8 feet, which put an end to fishing. 

The largest run of silver salmon was between October 28 and November 0. 
About the same condition of affairs is said to have existed last season. 

The law which requires the season to close November 1 in no way protects the 
chinook salmon, as the run of this fish is over by October 15. As fishing is the chief 
source of income of many of the citizens on the Siuslaw River it seems to them quite 
a hardship to be obliged to stop fishing daring the best portion of the season. All 
commercial fishing on the river is confined to that portion below tide water; in fact 
very little is ever done above Mapleton until near the close of the fishing season. 
The distance from the head of tide to the mouth of the river is about 28 miles. 

Commercial fishing on the Siuslaw is carried on by gill nets, seines, and trolling 
lines, but mostly by gill nets. The gill nets operated by the fishermen engaged in 
drifting are from 100 to 150 fathoms long; they are used only on the lower 8 miles of 
the river, where the current is too swift during flood and ebb tides to allow them to 
be set in the ordinary way. There are a great mauy sunken logs and trees in this 
portion of the river, as well as further up the stream, and the drifts are therefore 
usually short. All gill nets used ou the river from the head of tide water to within 8 
miles of its mouth are set in the ordinary way. They are all anchored by heavy rocks 
tied to the lead line at distances of from 3 to 8 fathoms apart. They vary in length 
from about 25 to 100 fathoms. 

That portion of the river in which gill nets are set varies from about 8 to 150 
fathoms in width. The gill nets also vary in length and. as no fisherman confines 
his fishing to any one portion of the river, very little attention is paid to the law which 
prohibits the use of gill nets reaching more than one-third distance across the river. 
Nets set in the Siuslaw River reach all the way from one-fourth to the entire distance 
across it. Dining flood and ebb tide the current in the river is so swift that nets 
extending from about one-third to two-thirds across the river have their cork line 
dragged so low that the net presents a comparatively small and a very poor fishing 



SALMON INVESTIGATIONS IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN IN 1896. 51 

surface. If the net extends from bank to bank tlie current raises the lead line 
between anchor rocks and drags down the cork line to the extent of destroying a 
good share of the fishing capacity of the net. It is quite evident that nets set in the 
Siuslaw River fish very little except during slack water. 

During the new and full moon tides the current in the river is so swift that the 
outer ends of the nets, which reach only a part way across the river, are drifted toward 
the shore, and they frequently become so much snagged in drifting one way that it 
is impossible to pick them up until the return tide. The fishermen drifting always 
take advantage of slack water, in order to fish their nets a longer time without taking 
them up. In the hitter part of the fishing season many nets used in drifting are 
cut into shorter lengths and set farther up the river. It seems to be a fact recognized 
by the fishermen that in any one portion of the river a net will fish much better at 
one bank than at the other, so it is much more advantageous to have two nets, each 
reaching halfway across the river, than one single net reaching entirely across. Three 
nets each reaching one-third distance across the river are often preferable to a single net 
reaching the entire distance. Nets are seldom set in the river in the daytime. 

Gill nets are also used in surf lishing late in the fishing season, when comparatively 
few salmon are entering the river. The usual depth of the net used in surf fishing is 
about half that used in drifting. At either end of the nets, which are about 150 
fathoms long, loug ropes are attached. The net is stretched along the shore and 
allowed to be caught by the surf, which carries it some distance to sea; it is then 
slowly drawn to shore after the manner of a seine. This method of lishing is so diffi- 
cult and the results so small that it is not much followed. 

A short distance above Acme is an excellent seining ground, but the use of a 
seine has usually been opposed by fishermen using gill nets farther up the river. The 
seine was used this season from September 10 to November 1 by those who most 
strongly opposed it hist year, but was less profitable than was expected. The majority 
of the fishermen would favor a law restricting the fishing to the use of .^ill nets. The 
seine was but little disturbed this year. One night a boat filled with rocks was sunk 
on the ground, but this the seine brought ashore at its first haul next morning. At 
another time a peculiar framework was auchored in the river, which was so constructed 
as to raise the lead line when the seine was about half hauled in. This contrivance 
was also brought ashore. The fact that the seine did not meet with the success 
expected lessened the opposition to its use. Chinooks were caught by it for the 
hatchery, and this was no doubt a factor in its favor. 

Chinooks and the silver salmon are often caught by trolling in the Siuslaw River, 
and they occasionally take hooks baited with salmon eggs or other bait. On October 
10 Mr. L. E. Bean caught 3 chinooks and 6 silver salmon trolling for about an hour 
near the mouth of Martin Creek. The following day S silver salmon were caught by 
trolling from Mapleton to Point Terrace, a distance of about 6 miles. Some of the 
chinooks and silver salmon caught in this way were red in color aud the jaws distorted. 
Considerable trolling is done during October between Mapleton and Point Terrace, 
not only for sport, but lot market as well. The amount of fishing done on the Siuslaw 
River is rated by boats, each boat having ordinarily 2 men and about 100 fathoms of 
net. This past year there were from 75 to 80 boats engaged in fishing on both the 
Siuslaw River aud North Fork, using a total of about 10,000 fathoms of net. The 
seine was operated by 6 men and 1 horse, and was equivalent to 3 or i boats. 



52 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 

The legal fishing season extends from September 1 to November 1. Some of tbe 
fishermen begin fishing as soon as tbe law permits, but the majority do not commence 
until the cannery begins operations. Tests made in August and early in September 
showed that the chinook salmon did not arrive in considerable numbers until about 
tbe 10th of September. They began to enter the river in tbe early part of August. 
Very few were caught in the lower part of tbe river after the middle of October. In 
the vicinity of Mapleton, however, a good many were taken as late as tbe last of Octo- 
ber. They moved up the river apparently very slowly, evidently remaining for a 
considerable time in the deeper portions of the river. 

At Point Terrace the water is 56 feet deep; near the mouth of Martin Creek the 
water is from 25 to 80 feet in depth. A large number of chinooks remain in these 
places (or are thought to, at least) until they become red and distorted. They seem 
to be very inactive. Gill nets set near these places catch very few. Fishermen say 
that as soon as the first fall rains come and the water in the river freshens up a little 
the fish become very active aud are easily caught in large numbers. No special effort 
is ever made to catch tbe chinooks from Point Terrace to head of tide after about 
the 10th of October. Many of those taken after this date are so white-meated that 
they are worth not over 5 cents each, aud they are usually thrown overboard by the 
fishermen. Some fishermen think that many chinooks spawn on the margins of these 
deeper holes, but there is no positive evidence of this further than that late in the 
fishing season a few ripe females are caught near or in these deep holes. 

October 28 and 29, just after tbe first important fall rains, about 50 chinooks were 
caught near Mapleton, which was the largest catch at this place during the season. 
A few of these were ripe and others nearly so. These fish were evidently just leaving 
the deep hole near the mouth of Martin Creek about three quarters of a mile below 
Mapleton. The larger portion of this catch was rejected by the cannery. 

The fall rains not only increase the amount of water in the river and freshen the 
lower portion of the stream, but they also lower the temperature of the water. These 
are doubtless the main factors causing the salmon to leave the deep holes and resume 
their run upstream. 

Salmon ordinarily reach their spawning-grounds before they are ripe, but there is 
considerable evidence that they sometimes do not enter the river until almost ripe. 
Mr. Leonard Christianson did considerable surf fishing in November, 1895, and 
informed us that he caught a few ripe chiuooks then. Eggs were forced from them 
while the fish were dying on the shore. This, however, is probably unusual. 

The North Fork being a much smaller stream than the main river and comparatively 
few white men fishing on it, it seemed that it was of very little importance as a fishing 
stream. Late in October it was learned that many chinooks were spawning all along 
tbe stream above tide water. On October 23 aud 21 the North Fork was examined 
for some distance both above and below Minerva. The water was so stained that 
salmon could be seeu only in shallow water on the gravel bars. These when frightened 
by our approach at once disappeared in deep water. A few were much mutilated and 
in a dying condition; in fact, all seen were more or less mutilated. North Fork, 
though not a large stream, has from tide water to a distance of about 8 miles above 
a number of excellent spawning --beds, and all showed much evidence of having been 
so used this year. On the L'titli of October about 17 chinooks were caught, all spent 
fish and all more or less mutilated. As these spawning-beds are only about 8 to 1G 



SALMON INVESTIGATIONS IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN IN 189(>. 



53 



miles from the sea, the mutilations exhibited could not have been incurred while on 
their way from the sea, but were received on the spawniug-beds. Several dead ones 
were seen, and many others were so weak and injured that recovery was not believed 
possible. 

On October 23 and 24 at least 50 chiuooks were seen on spawning-beds. On all 
of these the tins were considerably frayed, while most of them were badly mutilated 
and covered with fungus. A few were so far gone that we captured them by wading 
in the water and catching them by the tails. 

The seals collect in large numbers during the salmon run on the bar at the mouth 
of Siuslaw Eiver. Some enter the river and are seen nearly halfway to Mapleton. 
They are regarded as being destructive to the fishing interests, both by destroying 
large numbers of fishes and preventing many more from entering the river. These 
seals are regarded by the fishermen as by far the worst enemy of the salmon. 

The run of silver salmon began later. The first examples were taken about Sep- 
tember 10, but they did not appear in any considerable numbers until about a week 
later. From that date they continued pretty evenly until the 20th of October, after 
which they appeared in much larger numbers. They were stdl abundant on November 
7, when a sudden rise in the river washed away many of the nets and practically put 
a stop to all fishing for the season. 

The importance of the salmon fishery of the Siuslaw River tor each year since its 
beginning in 18X0 is shown in the table which follows. For convenience of reference 
the salmon taken in Tsiltcoos (Ten-mile) Creek are included. 



Yt'ar. 


Siuslaw River. 


North Fork. 


Tsiltcoos 
Creek- 
silver. 


Chinook. 


Silver. 


Chinook. 


Silver. 


1889 


9,000 

6, 50(1 
16.500 

7 000 
4,000 
1, 300 
4, '2110 

i 178 


62, 340 

41, 320 
23, 450 
86, 340 
78, 4311 
84, 642 
69, 454 
57, 000 


4,000 
2, 340 
6,800 
3,050 
1, 101) 
1, 234 
1,600 
2,100 


16. 432 
g 120 

2, 11)0 
l : 160 
12, 000 
6, 712 
4,31(1 
4,650 


8,000 
(«) 

!.,3lio 
4, 870 
8, 200 
1,578 


1890 


1891 


1SK2 


1893 


1894 


1895 


1896 


Totals 


52,878 


502, 973 


22, 224 


Oil, 044 


27, 94S 





(T Did not fish. 



From this it appears that the total number of chiuook salmon from the Siuslaw 
River and the North Fork handled by the canneries in the eight years was 75,102 fish, 
or 1,301,032 pounds. Mr. Kyle estimates that this amount should be increased by 
one-sixth, to cover the number salted or shipped away. This would give 87,619 fish. 
or 1,518,750 pounds. The total number of silver salmon handled during the same 
period was 599,965 fish, or 5,429,675 pounds; increased by one-sixth for fish salted or 
otherwise utilized, the total becomes 699,959 fish, or 6,334,620 pounds, 'flic number 
of silver salmon taken in the outlet of Tahkenitch Lake (Five-mile Creek) is said to 
have averaged about 5,000 fish per year for the last three years. 

Condition of salmon. — The chinooks caught in the Siuslaw River are not so fat as 
those caught in the Columbia. This is no doubt due to the fact that the Siuslaw has 
only a fall run. In any river the spring run is always better than the fall run; the 



54 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 

early spring run is better than the late spring run, and the early fall better than the 
late fall run. The condition of the salmon depends on the length of time he remains 
in fresh water before spawning. Those whose sexual organs are the least developed 
have redder and tatter flesh, and these are the ones which must remain in fresh water 
the longest time before spawning. 

Salmon taking the hook. — Fishermen hold different opinions as to why salmon take 
the hook, some regarding it simply as due to the pugnacious disposition of the fish, 
others as showing a playful disposition. Both males and females will take the hook. 
The baited hook falling near them or the silvery spoon passing rapidly by no doubt 
produces an involuntary impulse on the part of the fish to seize it. 

The Sitislato hatchery. — This hatchery is at Mapleton, Oregon, on the Siuslaw 
Eiver, about 2G miles above its mouth, or li miles below the head of tide water. The 
building is about 300 feet from the river and is supplied with water by gravity from 
a small spring brook, which flows within 200 feet of the building. This supply is 
abundant and of good quality. As there was no rack in the river, tish for spawning 
purposes could be obtained only at the seining- ground near Acme, about 10 miles 
below Mapleton. The method followed was to retain the fish in live-boxes until they 
were ready to spawn. Special boxes were built for this purpose, the fish put in them 
at the seining-ground, then they were floated on the. tide up to Mapleton, where they 
were tied until the fish were utilized. 

The first live-box was built September 17. It was made 20 feet long, 10 feet wide, 
and 4.1 feet deep. The frame work was made of 3 by material; to this were nailed 
horizontally 1 by 4 strips, with interspaces of about 2.1 inches. The lumber used was 
undressed. This box will hereafter be referred to as Box No. 1. On September 19 
Box No. 2 was built, 1G by 8 by 4.1 feet. This box differed from No. 1 only in being- 
made out of boards and 8 inches wide instead of 4 inches, and in having the inter- 
spaces narrower. These were not more than 2 inches wide anywhere, and near the 
top of the sides no interspaces were left, the first two or three being placed against 
each other. On September 21 Box No. 3 was built, not differing in any way from Box 
No. 1". On the 1st of October Box No. 4 was built. It was made of dressed lumber 
and was 20 by <!.', by 4i feet. Care was taken to have this box as smooth inside as pos- 
sible, so that the fish might not become injured in any way on account of contact with 
the box. 

The account of the experiments with each of these boxes is given with considerable 
detail, in order that the nature of the work and the conditions under which it was 
done may be fully understood. On September is, 4". chinook salmon were placed in 
Box No. 1. They were obtained from the seines and carried in sacks a few feet to a 
small live-box. in which they were floated to No. 1. The next day 48 more salmon were 
placed in this box. On September 21, 47 salmon were placed in No. 2, and the next 
day 21' tish were put into No. 3, to which 6 more were added on the morning of the 
23d. These three boxes, with 91, 47, and 28 fish, respectively, were lashed together 
and were started drifting up the river with the tide. This tide carried them upstream 
about 7 , ! miles, or about $ mile below McLeod"s wharf. Here the boxes were taken in 
tow by the steamer Lillian and brought to McLeod's wharf. The next day they were 
drifted to Point Terrace, a distance of about 5\ miles, and on the following night they 
were drifted •_'.', miles farther to Hartley's wharf. The next day. the 25th, they were 
drifted If miles farther, which brought them within jj| mile of Mapleton. They were 



SALMON INVESTIGATIONS IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN IN 1896. 



55 



tied up here uutil the 27th, when the Lillian took thein in tow and brought them to 
the Mapleton wharf, where they were kept until the fish were spawned. 

Three fish were placed in Box No. 4 on the evening of October 1, and 29 more were 
added the next morning. This box was set drifting on the evening of October 2. 
The fish were quite restless, jumping and striking against the top of the box in efforts 
to get out. After floating about li miles this box was tied up for the night. That 
evening it was covered with spruce boughs, so as to darken it and at the same time to 
cause it to float lower in the water. The next morning it was drifted to within half a 
mile of McLeod's wharf, or about 6 miles. The box was anchored here until the even- 
ing flood tide, when it was drifted to McLeod's wharf and tied up. The next day it 
was drifted about 6i miles to Hartley's wharf, and on the day following it was floated 
to within half a mile of Mapleton, to which place it was taken on the next tide on the 
morning of October 6. It was tied in a protected place in the river opposite Mapleton, 
where it was not subject to the disturbances to which the other three were liable. On 
October 8 two more salmon, which had been caught in a gill net near by, were placed 
in this box, thus increasing the number to 34. Except during the first evening the 
fish in this box remained quiet and showed no signs of restlessness under the restraint. 
Boxes 1, 2, and 3 were tied to the piling at the upper end of the wharf at Mapleton. 
The fish were here occasionally disturbed by persons coming about the boxes or step- 
ping upon them; whether this really increased the mortality or not can not be certainly 
stated, but it seems reasonable to believe that it would prove detrimental to the fish. 

An unusually low tide on October 15 left Box No. 3 about one-third out of water. 
This seemed to distress the fish, and may have caused some injury. During the latter 
part of October about 12 more fish were put in No. 1. These had been caught in the 
gill nets at Mapleton. 

The total number of fish which were experimented with was as follows: In Box 
No. 1, 103; in No. 2, 47: in No. 3, 28; in No. 4, 34. No accurate record was kept of 
the number of each sex, but at least three fifths of the total number were females. 

The mortality among the fish in these different boxes is shown in the following 
tabular statement: 



Date. 


Box No. 1. 


Box No. 2. 


Box No. 3. 


Box No. 4. 


Sept. 24 


12 
4 
4 
o 

(8) 

(8) 
8 
6 
8 








25 








26 






27 


1 
o 

(3) 






Oct. 1 to 5 






6 to 12 


(3) 
2 
3 
4 


2 


13 to 16 


17to23 


6 
6 




24 to 27 


2 


Total loss 


60 
58 


18 
38 


12 
42 


4 
12 







After the taking of spawn began, October 26, the fish were shifted about from one 
box to another, and. though a few continued to die, no accurate record was kept. The 
mortality was greatest in No. 1 and least in No. 4. The crowded condition of the fish 
in No. 1 was doubtless a feature which contributed to the loss. 

After October 20, when spawn-taking began, the fish were shifted about from box 
to box, and it was therefore impossible to keep an accurate record of the number dying 



56 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 

in each as originally apportioned. The total number that died after October 27, how- 
ever, was is, and on November 15 a sudden rise m the river broke open box No. 1 
and 30 fish escaped. The total loss, therefore, was 112 dead and 30 escaped. The 70 
which were left were spawned. Of this number, 36 were females and 34 males; to 
this number should be added 8 females and S males taken from t lie gill nets at Mapletou : 
these SG (41 females and 42 males) were spawned at different times between October 
26 and November 15. The total number of eggs taken is stated by Mr. L. E. Bean to 
have been 217,000. 

An examination ot a great many of the fish which died showed that some had 
received internal injuries which probably caused their death. Others which showed 
no internal injuries exhibited severe bruises which doubtless hastened their death. 

Particular pains were taken with the fish in Box No. 4. Care was taken in 
handling them when they were first placed in the box. The box had been constructed 
with unusual care by making it smooth inside and placing the boards close together, 
so as to admit but little light, and it was anchored at Mapletou in a secluded place 
where the fish were subjected to the minimum amount of disturbance. As a result, a 
higher percentage of success was attained with this box than with the otheis. With 
Nos. 1, 2, and 3 the principal factors which were detrimental were the following: 

1. Too many fish were put in each, resulting in too close crowding. 

2. The interspaces were too wide, thus letting in too much light and making the 
fish more restless. 

3. The rough surfaces on the inside of these boxes caused injuries to the fish 
striking against them. 

4. Some of the fish were not handled with proper care when placed in tbe boxes. 

5. During the interval between the arrival of these boxes at Mapletou and the 
spawning of the fish they were kept in a place where the fish were subjected to some 
annoyance. 

If the fish in these three boxes had been treated with the same care and attention 
as was bestowed upon Box No. 4, it is quite certain that the measure of success would 
have been greatly increased. Of the 217.000 eggs taken Mr. Bean reports that he 
hatcbed and successfully liberated 180,000. 

Conclusions. — These experiments seem to demonstrate that it is entirely practi- 
cable to retain salmon intended for spawning purposes for a period of at least six 
weeks in properly constructed live-boxes, but in order to operate Siuslaw hatchery 
with the best results, particular attention should lie given to the following details: 

1. The boxes should be constructed with as much care as possible. They should 
be made smooth inside. No interspaces should be left in the top nor in the upper third 
or half of the sides and ends, and those elsewhere should not exceed -' or '■'> inches in 
width. It is also desirable that the boxes be made *> to 8 feet deep instead of 4J feet. 

L'. It will prove advantageous to get as large a proportiou as possible of the fish 
desired toward the (dose of the run, as they will lie more nearly ripe and will not have 
to be kept so long in the boxes. It is also believed thai these fish are not so restless 
in the boxes as are those caught earlier in the run. 

■ !. The fish should be handled carefully when placing them in the boxes, so that 
they may not receive any serious bruises. 

4. Too many fish should not be placed in any one box. In our judgment each fish 
should be allowed al least I'll cubic feet of space. 



SALMON INVESTIGATIONS IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN IN 1896. 57 



TSILTCOOS AND WHOAHINK LAKES, OREGON. 

The investigation of these lakes was undertaken in response to a petition signed 
by numerous citizens living in their immediate vicinity and addressed to the United 
States Commission of Fish and Fisheries under date of June 13, lsiNi. The petitioners 
asked that Tsiltcoos Lake, be stocked with black bass and that a plant of brook trout 
be made in Whoahink Lake. To determine the advisability of complying with these 
requests, Dr. Meek was directed to make an examination of these lakes, particularly 
in regard to the following points: 

1. Are these waters suitable as to temperature, quality, and food supply for the 
species requested .' 

2. Would the introduction of these species have any detrimental effect upon the 
food or game lishes native to those waters or to waters into which the introduced 
species might spread :' 

3. Would the species which it is proposed to introduce probably thrive so well as 
to afford, after a few years, better fishing than is now furnished by the native species? 

Three visits were made by Dr. Meek to these lakes, the first on October 7 and S, 
when only Tsiltcoos Lake was seen; the next October 15 to 10, during which time 
considerable work was done on each of the lakes; the third trip November 28 to 
December 7, when the lakes were examined carefully and extensive collections made. 

The conclusion reached from a study of the conditions obtaining at these lakes is 
that it is not advisable for the Commission to stock them with black bass or brook 
trout. The planting of black bass in Tsiltcoos Lake would prove detrimental to the 
silver-salmon fishery carried on in the outlet of that lake, and the probability that 
the bass would in time spread to the Siuslaw and the TJmpqua is too great to warrant 
the risk. As to placing brook trout in Whoahink Lake, it is not believed that that 
species would ever become so well established as to afford better fishing than the 
native species supplies. These lakes are already abundantly supplied with a native 
trout which attains a weight of 2 pounds or more, which possesses excellent game 
qualities, and whose tiesh is firm and sweet. If these trout are properly protected, 
there is no reason why Whoahink Lake should not become an important fishing-resort. 

The detailed report upon these lakes follows: 

TSILTCOOS AND OTHER LAKES. 

Between the mouths of the Siuslaw and Cmpqua rivers, and almost bordering 
the sand hills along the shore, are three large lakes and a few small ones. The inves- 
tigations were restricted to the large lakes; these lie in a line parallel with the ocean 
beach and comprise at least three fourths of the distance between the Siuslaw and 
TJmpqua rivers. They are quite peculiar on account of their great irregularity in 
outline. The amount of shore line as compared with the area of each is very great. 

Whoahink Lake, or Clear Lake, as it is more commonly known, is about 2 miles 
from the Siuslaw River at Gleuada. This lake is very irregular in outline and deeper 
than the other two. Except a small portion in the southwest corner, it is surrounded 
by hills from 50 to about 200 feet in height. The hills immediately surrounding the 
lake are composed of a soft, irregularly stratified sandstone, and evidently of a much 
newer formation than the higher hills to the southeast. The inlets are only ravines, 
some of which contain many small springs. The points of land projecting into the 



58 



BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



lake are being quite rapidly worn away by rough water, forming bluffs. The surface 
of the lake at one time was somewhat lower than at present; tbis is evident from the 
fact that on a shoal place on the east side (near the middle of section 14) stumps of 
trees are seen some 10 feet below the surface. The former outlet of the lake was into 
the outlet of Tsiltcoos Lake. A few years ago this outlet became closed by shifting 
sand, causing the water to rise in the lake at least G feet above its present level. A 
new outlet, a short distance to the east of the old one, was dug to Tsiltcoos Lake 
some four or five years ago. The new outlet was not only intended to lower the sur- 
face of the lake, but to afford a water power for a small sawmill. It has never been so 
used. The material through which the outlet was dug is a fine clay, so compact that 
it erodes very slowly. In the extreme ends of the arms of the lake are some tules 
and small areas of other water-plants. 

The surface of Whoahink Lake is about 15 to 20 feet above that of Tsiltcoos Lake, 
from which it is less than half a mile distant. The timber on the hills bordering the 
lake was nearly all destroyed by fire some sixty years ago. It is being replaced by a 
growth of fir, alder, hemlock, maple, rhododendron, huckleberry, and a vigorous growth 
of ferns. To the west and bordering the sand hills about half a mile distant from the 
lake are many bull pines. The shore was everywhere so snaggy that a seine could not 
be used and our collecting apparatus consisted only of gill nets and trot lines. This 
lake is reported as having very few fishes in it, and our experience confirms this view. 
The water is clear, though much less so than in the mountain lakes of Idaho; the 
depth is usually from 30 to 78 feet. The water is not very cold, as may be seen from 
the following recorded temperatures: 



Date. 


Hour. 


Tern- 
per- 

ature 
of air. 


Temperature of water. 


Sur- 
face. 


Depth. 


Bot- 
tom. 


1896. 

Oct. 18 

18 

19 

19 


4.30 p.m. 


°F. 
63 


°F. 
62 


Feet. 
54 

72 
30 
54 
66 


op, 

61 

56 

60 

61.5 

57 


9.30 a.m. 


58 


61.5 


19 

















Tsiltcoos lake is larger and more irregular than Whoahink Lake. The main body 
of the lake is about 2 miles in extent from north to south, and 1 to 2 miles from east 
to west. It is also supplied with several arms, usually about a fourth of a mile wide 
and from i to 1J miles long and extending in different directions. Tsiltcoos Lake is 
comparatively shallow. In summer its greatest depth is about 17 feet, its average 
depth being from 10 to U feet. During the rainy season the water is from G to 10 
feet deeper. The bottom is a soft, black mud, like that of Whoahink and Tahkenitch 
lakes. Except at a few intervals the shore is bordered by a rich growth of tules. In 
the shallow portions around the shore the tules extend into the lake about a fourth of 
a mile. There is also considerable swamp vegetation in and about the tules. The 
surrounding country is quite similar to that around Whoahink. On the east, and at 
one point on the south, are bluffs of a dark, compact sandstone of much older formation 
than the bluffs around Whoahink Lake. There are also two timbered islands in this 
lake, composed of this older sandstone; the larger is about half a mile long and about 
an eighth of a mile wide. That portion of the country bordering the lake on the south 
and southwest was not burnt over during the big fire of about sixty years ago. 



SALMON INVESTIGATIONS IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN IN 1896. 59 

Tsiltcoos Lake has two inlets, 6 to 8 miles long-, Maple Creek at the northeast and 
Tsiltcoos Creek to the southeast corner of the lake. In summer these are little more 
than small brooks, but during the rainy season they become much swollen and afford 
a spawning-ground for many silver salmon, and possibly a few others, which enter the 
lake. It is said that about G or 7 years ago many more salmon spawned in Maple 
Creek than at present. 

The outlet of Tsiltcoos Lake is quite small, especially so in summer and at low tide. 
Gill nets are put across the outlet at low tide and are so anchored aud staked down 
that it is quite impossible for silver salmon, except the smaller ones, to pass them. 

October 17 a number of soundings aud temperatures were taken in Tsiltcoos 
Lake. The temperature of the air at 10.15 a. m. was 50° ; that of the bottom in various 
parts of the lake, at depths from 7 to 17 feet, varied from 58.5° to 59.5°. 

Tsiltcoos Creek (Ten-mile Creek), the outlet of Tsiltcoos Lake, is about 5 miles 
long, while the distance from the lake to the ocean in a direct line is about 2 miles. At 
low tide in summer there is barely water enough in the outlet to float a small flat- 
bottom boat. At high tide the water in the outlet for its entire length is brackish. 
There is some commercial fishing, though the fishing season is short (this year from 
October 10 to about November 5). Many silver salmon enter the lake, as is evidenced 
by the number caught in our small gill nets. Fishermen report that salmon are often 
stranded on the beach. About 100 silver salmon, the first catch of the present season, 
were brought to the cannery on October 13. There is no reliable evidence that blue- 
back salmon are ever found in this lake or its outlet, and only an occasional chinook 
js found. On October 10 aud 17 the bar at the mouth of this creek at low tide com- 
pletely closed the outlet. This prevented salmon from entering and none had been 
taken since October 13. The fishermen were watching- the surf closely to see if many 
salmon were near shore. Ordinarily, if the bar is closed and many fishes are seen in 
the surf, the fishermen resort to surf fishing until after the bar is opened. 

Tahkenitch, or Five-mile, Lake is very irregular in outline. Its greatest length 
from north to south is about 4 J miles; east to west about the same distance. This 
lake consists of four large arms whose general directions are with the four cardinal 
points. The eastern arm is the longest, the western the shortest, while the other two 
are about equal in length. The width of these arms varies from about one-eighth 
to three-quarters of a mile. In the month of the smallest arm is a small timbered 
island. 

Tahkenitch Lake does not lie in the burnt regiou. The hills surrounding it rise 
abruptly to a height of usually about 100 feet, and are covered by a dense growth of 
tall fir trees of about 1J to 3 feet in diameter. In the extreme end of the arms and 
in a few other places along the shore are found tules and other water vegetation similar 
to that in Tsiltcoos Lake. The bottom of the lake is a soft, black mud, like that found 
in the two other lakes. The depth is very uniform, being from 10 to 22 feet. 

Five-mile Creek, the outlet of Tahkenitch Lake, has its origin in the distal end of 
the western arm, its upper end being about 1 mile from the ocean. Its total length is 
about twice this distance. The sand hills extend almost to the lake. The isthmus 
separating Tahkenitch and Tsiltcoos lakes is rather low and narrow. So far as we 
could learn, the commercial fishing on Five-mile Creek is very similar to that on 
Ten mile Creek. The catch has amounted, according to Hon. A. W. Reed, of Gardiner, 
to an average of 5,000 silver salmon for each of the past three years. 



60 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 

UPPER KLAMATH LAKE, OREGON. 

In 1889 the United States Fish Commission planted 400,000 whitefish fry (Core- 
l/onus clupeiformis) in the southern end of Upper Klamath Lake, near Klamath Falls. 
Ample time having elapsed to enable this species to become well established, observa- 
tions were made by Messrs. Meek and Alexander for the purpose of determining the 
result of the plant. 

Pelican Bay was reached on the evening of October 31, and work was carried on 
in the upper part of the lake until November 7, when the camp was moved to the lower 
cud of the lake near the outlet, where the investigations were continued until the 11th. 
During the time spent at this lake the weather was unusually stormy, and it was 
exceedingly difficult to carry on the investigations in a manner at all satisfactory. 
There were only two really good days for work during the entire time. 

For the purpose of determining the result of the whitefish plant gill nets of suitable 
mesh were set in various places iu Pelican Pay and in the lower end of the lake. 
Collections of native fishes were also made, and as much time as possible was given to 
the study of the fish-food supply of the lake, which was found to be abundant and rich 
iu species of Entomostraca, insect larva-, and other invertebrate life. 

The fish life of the lake does not consist of mauy species, but the individuals of 
several of the species are very numerous. These will be discussed fully in the list of 
fishes at the end of this report, but it seems proper to call attention iu this connection 
to the suckers and trout. There are live or six species of suckers in this lake and 
each of them attains a large size, which renders them of great importance to the 
Indians on the Klamath Reservation. In the spring of the j ear, during the spawning 
time of these fish, vast numbers are caught in traps and by hook and line by the 
Indians and cured for future use. 

The trout are also very common and reach a very large size. Trout weighing 8 
to 10 pounds are not at all unusual, examples of 10 to 12 pounds are not rare, and 
occasionally one weighs as much as 14 pounds. Trout can be taken readily with the 
fly in the spring and by trolling in the spring and fall. In Pelican Bay they may be 
taken by trolling at any time. 

The Klamatli lakes comprise a scries of lakes which extend in a north -ami-south 
direction in southern Oregon and northern California. They lie just east of the 
Cascade Mountains, and are about 4,300 feet above sea level. Our investigations 
were limited to the largest of these lakes, known as Upper Klamath Lake. 

This lake is about 25 miles long and about S miles in average width. Its northern 
half extends in a northwest-and-southeast direction, while its southern half is nearly 
due north and south. It is quite irregular in outline, having on its western side two 
large bays, the upper of which forms the northwestern corner of the lake, and is 
known as Pelican Bay. About 2 miles west of Pelican Bay is a very large spring 
which forms a prominent creek emptying into the bay. The first half mile of this 
creek is about 50 to 100 feet wide and from 2 to 8 feet deep. After this it widens out 
into a large estuary, half a mile or more wide and more t ban a mile long. On the north 
this estuary is bordered by a hill, at the foot of which the water is as much as 17 feet 
deep. The rest of this estuary is bordered by a rich growth of tales and swam]) 
grass. Its depth, except at the north end, seldom exceeds 7 feet, while the greater 
portion is less than C> feet in depth. There are, especially on the east side of this 
estuary, many small narrow arms known as sloughs. These sloughs are about as 



SALMON INVESTIGATIONS IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN IN 1896. 61 

deep as the estuary, and each supports a rich growth of Potamogeto>i, Myriophyllum, 
and Elodea. These water-plants are also more or less abundant along the water's 
edge just inside the tules, but are scarce in the main body of the estuary. The water 
in Pelican Creek and estuary is very clear, and when it is not disturbed the bottom 
can be plainly seen everywhere. The bottom of the creek and estuary is composed 
of a light tii iffy mud, varying in color from dark grayish to black. 

The water in the lake when we saw it was not clear. The fine sediment held in 
suspension was no doubt picked up from the bottom during rough weather. 

The northern portion of Upper Klamath Lake contains many tule islands, and is 
evidently very shallow. Its shores north of Bare Island are very marshy. The main 
portion of the lake, or its middle half, is bordered on each side by mountains which 
rise from the water's edge to au altitude of 1,000 to 1 ,500 feet above the lake. Toward 
its southern end the lake becomes narrow. Its shores are mostly marshy and bordered 
by tules and willows. It also contains considerable water vegetation, the same as at 
its north end. There are two islands in the lake, Bare Island and Buck Island, each 
about 500 feet high. 

North of the upper end of Upper Klamath Lake is a large area of tule marshes, 
(i to 10 miles wide and 10 to L2 miles long. Lying in this marsh is a small lake which 
has sometimes been improperly called the Upper Klamath Lake. It is now regarded 
as being only a part of Upper Klamath Lake. It is about 2 miles from the main lake 
and is about 3 miles wide and 6 miles long. Through this marsh flow several small 
streams, the principal ones being Seven-mile Creek and Wood River. Williamson 
River, the principal stream flowing into Upper Klamath Lake, is of considerable size 
and much importance in its relations to the fishes of the lake. About 10 miles above 
its mouth it receives from the east a large tributary known as Sprague River. About 
half a mile above its mouth it is 125 feet wide and 10 feet deep. It flows before 
entering the lake through a low, flat, marshy plain covered with tules and swamp grass. 
On the banks of the river is a rich growth of willows. The current is very moderate. 
We rowed about 2 miles or more up the river and noticed no important change in it. 
The water in the river was very dark, evidently stained to some extent by vegetation. 

The small lake just below Klamath Falls is about £ mile wide and 2 miles long. 
This lake is surrounded by a rich growth of tules aud some willows. The depth about 
half a mile below Klamath Falls was 15 feet. On November 9 the surface temperature 
was 42J°; bottom temperature in 15 feet of water, 42J°. We set one large and two 
small gill nets in this lake on November 9 and took them up on November 11, obtaining 
4 chubs (Leuciscus bicolor) and 2 trout. 

The outlet of Upper Klamath Lake is Link River, a short stream not over 1^ 
miles long, consisting of a series of rapids and falls. 

Upper Klamath Lake is a rather shallow body of water. The creek and estuary 
at Pelican Bay are from 2 to S feet deep in the upper part and from C to 17 feet in the 
lower portion. A line of souudiugs was run across the mouth of the estuary and the 
depth was found to be about 5i feet. 

Pelican Bay and the north end of the lake are very shallow. A line of soundings 
was run from the mouth of the estuary of Pelican Creek to the mouth of Williamson 
River, and 8 feet was the greatest depth found, while the average was not more than 
Gh feet. The bottom could be easily seen anywhere when the surface of the water 
was smooth. It seemed to be composed of loose, decaying vegetation, into which the 



62 



BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



sounding lead would usually sink several inches. We were unable to take any sound- 
ings in the middle of the lake between Bare and Buck islands. While this is doubtless 
the deepest portion, we were informed that the water even here probably does not 
exceed 30 or 40 feet in depth. The south end of the lake is a little deeper than the 
upper portion. The greatest depth was found near the outlet and was 20 feet. The 
portion south of Buck Island will not average more than 12 or 13 feet deep. 

The temperature observations made at Upper Klamath Lake are given in the table 
which follows. All the water temperatures except those at the surface were taken at 
the bottom. Owing to the shallowness of the lake the temperature of its water is 
everywhere affected by that of the air. 



Date. 



Nov. 2 
2 
2 
2 
2 
3 
3 
3 
3 
4 
5 
5 
5 
5 



Tem- 
per- 
ature "t 



Near month of relican Creek.. 
North end of Pelican Estuary . 



9a.m... 
9.20 a. m 

9.20a. m PelicanBay. 

9.20 a. m do 

9.20 a. in do 

8.45 a. m Pelican Creek near spring 

10.45 a. in Pelican Estuary 

2.30 p. m Pelican Creek near spring 

2.30 p. m Pelican Estuary 

9 a m Pelican Creek near spring 

9 a. in Pelican Creek 

10 a. in Northwest part of Pelican Estuary 

10 a. m do 

Noon.. .. Klamath Lake between Pelican Bay and Wil- 

liamson River. 

... do 



O J 1 . 

38 



Noon 

12.30 p. m do. 

! 2.311 p. in do . 

1 j>. in do . 

1 p. in do . 

4 p. in Near mouth of William son River 

4 p. in do 

4.30 p. m Two miles above mouth of Williamson River. 

4.30 p. in do 

4.:to p. in At mouth of Pelican Estuary 

4.30 p. m do '. 

9 a. m Small Lake below Klamath Falls 

9 a. in do 

3.30 p. m South end of Klamath Lake 

3.30 p. in do 



42 
42} 



Depth 
of water. 



Tern- 
per- 

at lire of 

water. 



Surface. 
....do.. 

5} feet . . 

5* feet . . 

5| feet . 

Surface 
....do.. 
....do.. 

...do.. 
....do.. 
....do.. 
....do.. 

16 feet . 

Surface 

7 feet . . 
Surface 

8 feet . . 
Surface 
8 feet . . 
Surface 
10 feet . 
Surface 
10 feet . 
Surface 
5} feet . 
Surface 

15 feet . 
Surface 
13 feel 



o j\ 
42 
40 
41} 
39} 
39* 
44" 
41 
44 
421 
44 
43S 

40; 
41} 

42} 

43 

42} 

43 

42? 

42 

42i 

42 

42} 

42 

39} 

40J 

42] 

42} 

414 
41J 



Character of bottom. — The large area of tule and marshy lands surro'nnding the 
lake has doubtless had much to do in determining the character of the bottom of Upper 
Klamath Lake. The lake is very shallow, and the vast amounts of decaying vegeta- 
tion carried into it and the ever-increasing area of tule lands render it more shallow 
year by year. The bottom, where we examined it, was composed of loose, disintegrat- 
ing vegetable material, with no sandy or gravelly bottom. 

Fishes. — Gill nets of suitable mesh were set in this lake in various places, chiefly in 
Pelican Bay and in the lower end of the lake. A good many trout and chubs and a 
few suckers were taken, but no wh.itefi.sh were caught and none was seen anywhere. 
Inquiry among people at Klamath Falls and elsewhere about the lake failed to elicit 
evidence that whitefish have ever been seen there since the plant was made. It is 
to be regretted that nets could not have been set in the middle portion of the lake, 
as it is there thai fish would be found if any have survived. But when it is consid- 
ered how shallow the lake is. how warm the water probably becomes in summer, and 
how difficult it would be for whitefish to iind suitable spawning-beds, it is doubtful if 
the eastern whitefish would thrive in such a lake. 



SALMON INVESTIGATIONS IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN IN 1896. 63 

Advantages of a trout-cultural station at Klamath Fulls. — The trout of Upper 
Klamath Lake are probably not surpassed by any lake-dwelling trout in America in 
beauty, size, gaminess, or sweetness and delicacy of flavor They are excellent trout 
to propagate and plant in other lakes. Trout-cultural operations could be carried on 
at some point on Upper Klamath Lake very advantageously. Perhaps the best loca- 
tion would be at Klamath Falls, where all the engineering conditions are excellent. 
Fish can be obtained readily and in abundance at any time. A station located upon 
this lake would be useful in maintaining the supply of trout in it and neighboring 
lakes and for furnishing fish for planting elsewhere in suitable lakes. The distance of 
Klamath Falls from the railroad is the chief objection to the establishment of a station 
at that place. 

CRATER LAKE, OREGON. 

In the spring of 1896 the U. S. Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries received a 
request to plaut trout in Crater Lake, Oregon. This request was made by citizens 
of Medford, Ashland, and Klamath Falls, and by the Mazamas, a club of mountain 
climbers with headquarters at Portland, whose members take an active and intel- 
ligent interest in discovering and making known the scenic and other natural 
attractions of the Northwestern States. Before complying with the request, the 
Commissioner decided to have made such investigations as would determine whether 
the physical and biologic conditions existing at Crater Lake are such as will permit 
fish to thrive in it. These investigations were made by Professor Evermann and Prof. 
U. O. Cox, of Mankato, Minnesota. 

Crater Lake is about 100 miles from the nearest railroad station, and is reached 
by a wagon roail, which has a number of steep, rough grades. The Mazamas had 
selected this lake as the place of their annual meeting for 1896, and the Fish Com- 
mission party by their invitation made the trip to the lake with them, thus obviating 
the necessity of employing special conveyances and making the trip comparatively 
inexpensive. The party left Ashland by wagon August 13 and reached the lake on 
the morning of August 19. Work was carried on at the lake until August 24, when 
the party set out upon the return trip to Ashland, which was reached August 26. 

Crater Lake* lies in the top of Mount Mazama and on the very summit of the 
Cascade Range, about midway between Mount Shasta and Mount Hood. Its latitude 
is 42° 56' N. and its longitude is 122° 7' W. In many respects it is one of the most 
interesting natural wonders in America. It is approximately circular and averages a 
little more than 5 miles in diameter. It is completely encircled by a bold escarpment 
ranging from 500 to 2,000 feet in height above the surface of the water. Although 
the steep slopes of the escarpment are in some places well wooded, they are generally 
either cliff's or talus, descending to the lake and plunging into deep water. There are 
many places where the walls are almost perpendicular, and at only two or three places 
is it possible to descend to the water's edge. The lake has practically no shores or 
beaches; only in a few places is there sufficient beach to afford standing room. The 
average diameter of this great pit at the top is 5.7 miles and its depth is 4,000 feet. 
The highest part of the wall surrounding this lake is 8,228 feet above sea level, while 
the surface of the lake is 6,239 feet above the sea. 

" In our general description of this lake we have made free use of the excellent account given 
by Mr. J. S. Diller, of the U. S. Geological Survey. Mr. Diller has made a careful topographic survey 
of the region and possesses a thorough and intimate acquaintance with Crater Lake. 



64 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 

The riui of the basin now occupied by Crater Lake is the present summit of what 
was once a mountain cone. That this is simply the frustum of what was mice a com- 
plete mountain cone is evidenced by the attitude of the sheets of lava and ejected 
volcanic material which form the rim. They all incline away from the lake, indicat- 
ing a common source from a crater that surmounted a huge volcano high in air above 
the place now occupied by the lake. At that time, of course, neither basin nor lake 
existed. Mr. Dillcr thinks that this great volcanic mountain, recently named Mount 
Mazama, must have extended about 5,000 feet higher than the remaining fragment, 
thus making its height about 14,000 feet, nearly that of Mount Shasta. What became 
of the top of Mount Mazama is an interesting question. The geologists are convinced 
that at some period in its history the molten interior, instead of escaping through the 
crater in the usual way, found an outlet at a lower level. The top of the mountain 
being thus left a mere shell and without adequate support, fell in and became engulfed 
in the vast pit which the lake now partly tills. The pumice upon the surface for 
many miles around Grater Lake was probably blown out by the volcano before the pit 
developed, and the volcano of Wizard Island was active at a much later stage upon 
the bottom of the pit. It was the scene of the last eruption about the lake, and, 
although recent in appearance, must have occurred centuries ago. 

Grater Lake is, so far as known, the deepest lake in America. Many soundings 
have been taken by the United States Geological Survey. Over only very limited 
areas was a depth of less than 1,000 feet found, while over a large part of the lake the 
depth ranges from 1,8(10 to 2,000 feet. In the eastern portion of the lake is a great level 
floor, with a nearly uniform depth of 2,000 feet for a distance of more than 3 miles. 
In the western part are three or more small cones, one reaching within 93 feet of the 
surface of the water, while another rises 845 feet above the water. This is Wizard 
Island, a perfect cinder cone, with symmetrical slopes, and in its top a crater 80 feet 
deep. This cone is composed chiefly of red lapilli, and so new and fresh that it is 
sparsely forested and shows no trace of weathering. About the base of this island 
cone is a rough fringe of lava, which has spread in all directions to far beneath the 
water's level. The shallowest parts of the lake lie west and south of Wizard Island. 
The average depth in this area probably does not exceed 150 feet. 

Grater Lake has neither inlet nor visible outlet. The catchment area is scarcely 
greater than the lake itself. During the summer season several streams trickle down 
the walls from the snow banks which lie within the rim; these streams are all very 
small, but a few of them continue throughout the summer, as some of the snow banks 
lying on the southern walls never entirely disappear. The amount of precipitation is 
believed to be greater than the evaporation, but the level of the lake does not appear to 
be rising. It is therefore quite probable that there is a subterranean outlet, and the 
large springs in the vicinity of Fort Klamath may have their source in Grater Lake. 

The water of Crater Lake is cold, fairly pure, and exceedingly clear. Though 
sufficiently pure for all fish-cultural purposes, it is slightly flat to the taste and doubt- 
less contains some minerals in solution. Froth or foam readily forms when the water 
is disturbed. The clearness is remarkable, an ordinary dinner plate being distinctly 
visible at a depth of nearly 100 feet, even in a hazy atmosphere. 

The color of the lake is a wonderful blue, except in certain comparatively shallow 
places near tin' shore. In the deeper parts of the lake it is the most intense blue we 
have ever seen ; from there toward the shore, and in the changing light and shadows of 



SALMON INVESTIGATIONS IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN IN 1896. 



65 



cliffs and clouds, the colors change from ultramarine through cobalt aud azure blue to 
smalt blue and hyacinth, and even to royal purple, violet, and mauve. So marvelously 
and strangely beautiful are these colors that one never tires watching and studying 
them. The general effect as one views the lake from some advantageous point upon 
the rim is profoundly impressive. Two thousand feet below lies the lake in whose 
placid blue waters everything is so perfectly mirrored that one can not tell where the 
real ends and the mirror begins. Near the west shore rises Wizard Island, symmetrical 
and beautiful in all its proportions, while around the lake is a circle of 20 miles of 
nearly perpendicular wall, hundreds of feet high and unrivaled in its scenic effects. 

Temperatures. — Considerable time was devoted to the making of temperature 
observations in different parts of the lake and at different depths. 

The following table gives the surface temperatures recorded: 



Date. 


Hour. 


m ion. 


1 emper- 
atore. 


1896. 
Aug. 19 
20 
20 
20 
20 
21 
22 
22 
22 
22 






59' 

57 

56.5 

58 

60 

55 G 

56 

62 

61 

61 


9.40 a. in 

9.55 a. in 

10 10 a. m 

1.40 p. ni 

8.45 a. in 

9.11 a.m 

1 p.m 


( tne-fourth mile from shore in Eagie Cove. . . 

One mile from Bhore in Eagle Cove 

One fourth mile from Wizard Island 




do .". 




Almut 7\ miles east of Wizard Island 










The following intermediate and bottom temperatures were taken, with a Negretti- 
Zanibra deep-sea thermometer tripped by means of a propeller, such as is used by the 
Albatross in her deep-sea temperature work: 



Date. 


Hour. 


Station. 


Depth. 


Temper- 
ature. 


1896. 
Aug. 'JO 
20 
22 
"J 2 
22 


11 .1 . ni 

I.40 p. m 

3 p. ni 

4 p.m 

5 p. in- 




Feet. 

93 

866 

555 

1,040 

1,623 


p_ 
43.'5 
44 
39 
41 
46 






do 







The vertical series taken on August 22, at a station about 2^ miles east from the 
southeast corner of Wizard Island, proved of very great interest. The surface tem- 
perature was 61°; at 555 feet it was 39°; at 1,040 feet 41°; and at 1,623 feet, which 
was at the bottom, 46°. In all other American lakes, so far as known, the coldest water 
in summer is always at the bottom. The effect of the sun in heating the water of lakes 
does not ordinarily reach to any great depth. Observations recently made upon Lake 
Champlaiu by Prof. George C. Whipple and our own observations made in 1806 upon 
Alturas aud Wallowa lakes showed that the sun's heat did not much affect the 
temperature of the water beyond a depth of 100 feet. 

If there be no error in the above observations, it seems that the waters of Crater 
Lake are still receiving heat from the rock upon which they rest. The heat of the old 
volcano has not entirely disappeared. The coldest water is neither at the surface nor 
at the bottom, but at some intermediate depth. The results of these observations are 
so unexpected, and the indicated conditions are so unusual, that the matter should 
receive further attention. The only possible source of error which has yet suggested 

F. C. B. 1897—5 



66 



BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



itself is that the propeller may not always have worked properly. It is possible (though 
improbable) that in some cases, when beginning to haul up the thermometer the 
propeller failed to reverse until some moments later, in which case the temperature 
reading would be for some depth other than the one desired. The observations should 
be carefully repeated before the conclusions suggested are accepted. 

During the trip of the Mazama party from Ashland to Crater Lake and return a 
good many temperature observations were made. All of these possess a certain 
value and it has been thought proper to record them in this connection. Tbe air 
temperatures were all in the shade unless otherwise stated. The instrument used was 
a Wilder protected thermometer. 

Miscellaneous temperatures recorded on tin Crater Lake trip, August IS to ,'!G, 1896. 



Date. 



Aug. 13 

14 

14 



Hour. 



9.10 p.m. 

5.00 a. m. 
9.10 p.m. 

5.00 a.m 
12.18 p.m. 

2.00 p. m 

4.00 a.m. 

9.42 a.m. 
11.30 a. m. 

4.40 a. m. 
12.30 p.m. 
....do.... 
....do .... 

....do .... 

...do .... 

....do.... 

2.14 p. m, 
8.00 p. m. 

10.20 p. m. 
do 



Station. 



Hunt's ranch, 4,400 
feet elevation. 

do 

Camp at Lake of the 
Woods. 

do 

Creek on wav to Mount 
Pitt. 

Spring on creek on 
way to Mount Pitt. 

Campon side of Mount 
Pitt. 

Summit of Mount Pitt, 
9,700 feet. 

Summitof Mount Pitt, 
9,760 feet, in sun. 

Camp returning from 
Mount Pitt. 

Large spring at Peli- 
can Bay. 

Small spring at Peli- 
can Bay. 

Creek 100 yards helow 
spring at Pelican 
Bay. 

Cteek 400 yards below 
spring at Pelican 
Bay. 

Creek at entrance of 
Pelican Bay. 

Air in shade' at Peli- 
can Bay. 

do 

Crane Creek camp, 
3,900 feet. 

do 

Creek at Crane Creek 
camp. 



Air. Water. Date. 



o J\ 
54 


o jr 


41 
61 




46 


54 




42.75 


50 




55 




83 




37 






43 




43.5 




44.75 




45.5 




47 


77 




80 
52 




44 


41.5 



Aug. 18 

18 

18 
18 



Hour. 



5.00 a. m. 
...do .... 



8.30 a. m. 
6.30 p.m. 

5.25 a. m. 
1.20 p.m. 

3.00 p.m. 



,00 p.m. 
mi a. m. 
.00 m. 
00 p. m. 
00 a. m. 
45 a. m. 
30 p.m. 
00 p.m. 
20 p. m. 
00 a. m. 
00 a. m. 
00 p.m. 
35 a. m. 
00 a. m. 



12.20 p.m. 

3.00 p.m. 
9.00 p.m. 
5.00 a. m. 
9.00 p. m. 

5.50 a. m. 
9.00 p.m. 

6.00 a.m. 



Creek at Crane Creek 

camp. 
Air at Crane Creek 

camp. 
Wood River at bridge. 
Camp 2J miles from 

Crater Lake, 6,100 

feet. 

do 

Camp Mazama, Crater 

Lake, 7.1S5 feet. 
Small stream on trail 

down to lake. 

Camp Mazama 

.....1.. 

....do 

do 

do 

...do 

...do 

....do 

... do 

do 

....do 

do 

... do 

Camp Mazama, Cathe 

dral Spring. 

Camp Mazama 

do 

do 

...do 

Rogue River camp, 

2,300 feet elevat inn. 
Rogue River camp. . . . 
Jackson's ranch camp, 

1.300 feet. 
Jackson \s ranch camp . 



Air. Water. 



□ p. 
36 



o p. 

41 



56 

54 

67.5 

52 

51 

58 

61 

58.5 

55 

52 

66 

59 

65 

66 

69.5 

7n :> 
59 
62 
61 

46 
65 

57 



45 
43 



35.5 



Life of Crater Lake. — Crater Lake contains no fishes; lakes without inlets or 
outlets seldom or never do, for fishes naturally get into one body of water only by 
swimming to it from some other body of water with which it is connected. Fishes 
never appear de novo in any lake or stream; if they appear there at all it is because 
they can swim there from some other lake or stream. Breaks in water continuity, or 
even considerable falls, are absolute barriers beyond which fishes can not go. So with 
Crater Lake; it has never had any inlet or visible outlet connecting it with any other 
body of water in which fishes are found aud through which fishes might reach it. 

Mammals aud birds excepted, only 3 species of vertebrates were found within the 
rim of Crater Lake, viz, a snake, a frog, and a salamander. 

The snake is the small-headed striped snake, Thamnophis leptocephalus (Baird & 
Girard). Two specimens were obtained on Wizard Island. It was not seen elsewhere. 



SALMON INVESTIGATIONS IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN IN 189G. 



67 



One frog, Bana aurora Hand & Girard, was also obtained on Wizard Island. 
Others were seen about the spring below the camp. The salamander is Ambly stoma 
macrodactylum Baird. It is by far the most abundant and most interesting vertebrate 
occurring at Grater Lake. Our first specimens were found on the shore under Red- 
cloud Cliffs, where we found it to be exceedingly abundant. It was afterwards found 
in considerable numbers along the shore iu Eagle Cove and a few were obtained about 
Wizard Island. More than a hundred specimens were collected and many more 
could have been obtained. The majority of the individuals seen were adults, only 4 
or 5 still retaining the external gills were seen. These salamanders were found under 
the rocks just above the edge of the water of the lake. Sometimes as many as a 
dozen or fifteen were found under a single flat stone. These three species are not 
uncommon throughout western Oregon and Washington. 

Invertebrate life was found to be fairly abundant, and a few plants were found. 
By using fine-meshed surface towing nets considerable collections were made. The 
following is a list of the species obtained: 



PLANTS. 

Ali i iv : 

Nostoo sp. I Colonies common. 
Melosira granulata . Not common. 
PleuroUgma sp. ? Several specimens. 
Surirella sp. 1 Not common. 

ANIMALS. 
Crustacea: 

( 'yclops alliidns. Not common. 

Cyclops serrulatus. Not common. 

Dapliniii pulex pulicaria. Very abundant. 

Allan /testes dentata. Not common. 
In sect a : 

Chironomus sp.f Larvse. Very common. 

Ephemerid larvse. Common. 

Limnophilus or caddis fly. Aery abundant. 



ANIMALS— ( ontinned. 

I used a — Continued. 

LaccophUns larvse. Not common. 

Deronectes striatellus. Common. 

Dytiseus sp. .' Not ran-. 
Vermes: 

dunlins sp. I < Ine specimen obtained. 

A species of leech. Not common. 
Moll ii sea : 

Pkysa sp.1 Not common. 
Batrachia : 

Amblystoma macrodactylum. 

Sana intrant. 
Replilia : 

Thamnophis leplocephalm. 



These crustaceans and insect larva- are all excellent food for trout, and were found 
in considerable abundance, particularly in Eagle Cove. The small entomostracau, 
]>tt/)liiiia pulex pulicaria, was the most abundant species, and large numbers could be 
seen during favorable afternoons swimming at the surface in Eagle Cove. The three 
other species of crustaceans seemed far less abundant. 

Caddis-fly cases were very abundant on the under sides of rocks lying in the edge 
of the water. A small black leech was quite common on the rocks in Eagle Cove and 
about Wizard Island. The small gastropod (Physa) was found about Wizard Island 
in limited numbers, a species of water-beetle (Dytiseus) was pretty common, and a 
single specimen of Gordius, or hair snake, was found near the shore of the island. 

There are no water-plants of any size in the lake. On the rocks about Wizard 
Island the gelatinous masses of colonies of Nostoc were common. A number of speci- 
mens of the diatom, Pleurosigma, were obtained in the towing net, and a few specimens 
of two other algae were secured. 

Summing up the matter, it may be said that while the conditions at Crater Lake 
are not the most favorable to fish-life, there seems to be no reason why trout iu limited 
numbers might not thrive in it. The water is all that could be desired as to purity 
and temperature, but the depth is so uniformly great that only small areas of bottom 
suitable for spawning-beds are found. The entire absence of all other fish-life and the 



68 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 

very limited vegetation supported by the lake reduce the food supply almost wholly to 
small free-swimming crustaceans and insect larva'. Both are present in considerable 
abundance, but probably not in sufficient quantities to support a large number of fishes. 
On the other hand, fishes planted in this lake will have no rapacious fishes with which 
to contend; the struggle will, therefore, be wholly with the physical environment and 
the food supply. It has, therefore, been recommended that a plant of trout be made in 
Crater Lake, and it is hoped that the Mazamas who visit the lake hereafter may make 
observations to determine the result of the experiment. The best species to plant is 
the black-speckled trout of Lake Tahoe, Saluto myhiss henshaxci. 



LIST OF FISHES. 

In the following list of fishes we give only those species of which specimens were 
obtained by us during the investigations of 1896. In the nomenclature and sequence 
of species we follow Jordan & Evermanu's Check-List,* recently published: 

1. Entospheuus tridentatus (Gairdner). Three-toothed Lamprey. 

A specimen, IS inches long, was obtained July 23 in Alturas Inlet, 1 mile above the lake, and 
several larva' were dug out of the sand at the head of the lake .Inly 25. Comparing the large specimen 
with one 24 inches long, obtained by Mr. Williams at Big Payette Lake, some important differences 
are noted. In the Payette example the dorsal fins are separated by a space equal to one-third the 
length of the base of the anterior tin, while the Alturas example has the dorsals scarcely separated. 
The tins are also much higher in this specimen, the height of the anterior dorsal being contained 
3 T times in head, measured to first gillopeniug, or p.; times in the height of the second. The iufraoral 
lamina has 5 cusps; the supraoral has 3, the middle one being much smaller than the other two; the 
buccal teeth before the mouth are unicuspid ; on each side of the oral opening are 4 teeth, the anterior 
and posterior ones of which are bicuspid, while the other two are tricuspid. The arrangement of the 
teeth does not differ materially from that in the Payette specimen. The larva' range from If to 3J 
inches in total length. In all of these the dorsal tin is continuous, though deeply incised. 

An example 10J inches long was found attached to a chub in Upper Klamath Lake, November 10. 

2. Acipenser medirostriy Ayres. Green Sturgeon. 

Common near the mouth of Siuslaw River; several taken in a seine near Acme in September, 
measuring about 18 inches each in total length. At Gardiner, near the mouth of the Umpqua, a good 
many large sturgeon, probably A. transmontanue, were taken in November and December. 

3. Pantosteus jordani Evermann. Western Black Sticker. 

During the season's work this sucker was found only in Wallowa Lake, Oregon. Two small 
specimens were obtained in the upper end of the lake August 24. 

4. Catostomus tsiltcoosensis, new species. 

Type No. 48479, U. S. Xat. Mns. ; cotypes No. 38, U. S. F. O. and No. 5703. L. S. Jr. Univ. Mus. 

Type locality: Tsiltcoos Lake, Lane County, Oregon, where numerous specimens were obtained 
December 2, 1S9C5, by Dr. Meek. 

Apparently most closely related to C. ocoidentalis Ayres. 

Head 4A; depth ."> ; eye 6i in head; snout 2; D. 13; A. 7; scales 13-6.1-8, 31 before the dorsal. 
Pectoral 1J in head; longest dorsal ray 1}; base of dorsal 1? ; longest anal ray 1J; ventral 1?. Body 
rather slender, subterete; head small, snout long aud pointed; mouth inferior, overhung by the pro- 
jecting snout; lips rather thin, one row of large papillae on upper lip, aud about 2 irregular rows of 
smaller ones behind or inside of it; lower lip incised nearly to base, 1 or 2 rows of small papilla' 
across the isthmus; lobes of lower lip moderately long and thin, ttie bases with papilla merging 
into plications toward the tips. Eye quite small, the anterior edge of orbit at middle of head Top 
of head Hat or very slightly convex between the eyes. Fins small; pectorals short and rounded; 

*A Check-List of the Fishes and Fish-like Vertebrates of North and Middle America, in Report 
U. S. F. C. for 1895 (December 28, 1896), 207-590. 



SALMON INVESTIGATIONS IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN IN 1896. 



GO 



ventrals short, rounded, the middle rays but little longer than the others; anal small, somewhat 
pointed; margin of dorsal slightly concave; caudal lunate, not deeply forked. Muciferous canals on 
head not strongly developed. Scales moderately large; lateral line nearly straight, not running 
upward toward nape. 

Length of type, 8 inches to base of caudal. 

The cotypes agree closely with the type in all characters of importance. 

We have compared our specimens of this species « ith specimens of ' '. occidentalis (Fig. 2) from 
the Sacramento River and liud important differences. ( 'omparing examples of the same size, we find 
that C. tsiltcoosoisix has a smaller head, longer, more pointed snout, smaller eye, larger scales, and 
much smaller fins; the pectorals in C. occult- u talk are falcate while in this species they are more 
rounded, and the ventrals also are less pointed. 

An example of C. occidentalis 9 inches long has the head 4f; depth 5; eye."..;; snout2J; D.12; A. 7; 
scales 13-70-10, 41 before the dorsal. 

This species is abundant in Tsiltcoos Lake and Siuslaw River. The specimens from Siuslaw 
River were obtained in brackish water. 




Fig. 1. — Catostomus tsiltcoosensis Evormann i: Meek, uew Bp< 




Fig. 2.— Oafottomtu occidt ntalis A \ res. 

5. Catostomus macrocheilus Oirard. Columbia Hirer Sucker: " fellow Sucker." 

Abundant throughout entire Columbia River basin ; obtained this year from Alturas and Wallowa 
lakes, in both of which it is abundant. It seems not to occur in .Siuslaw River, nor in lakes of that part 
of Oregon. Five specimens from Lake Union near Seattle, and one from Lake Washington at Seattle. 

6. Catostomus snyderi Gilbert. 

One obtained from an Indian at the mouth of Williamson River, November 5. This species was 
caught, along with Chasmistes eopei and Chaamistca stomias, in the small trap or basket nets which the 
Indians were using at that place. Three small specimens, 2} to 4f inches long, were taken in the 
seine at the south end of Upper Klamath Lake November 10, and two others, 2 and 2i inches long, 
respectively, in a slough at Pelican Bay November 3. No large examples seen in shallow water. 



70 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 

The Klamath Lake Catostomus has been identified, by all who have had occasion to mention it, with 
C. labial us Ayres, upon the supposition that the type of Ayres's species came from Klamath Lake. But 
Ayres plainly states* that it came from Stockton, California. As only one Bpecies of this genus is 
found in San Joaquin River, C. labiatus becomes a synonym of C. occidentalis, and the Klamath Lake 
species is left without a name, a fact first pointed out by Mr. J. O. Snyder, for whom the fish has been 
recently named by Dr. Gilberts 

The type specimen upon which Dr. Gilbert based his description is less than 8 inches long. As the 
one which we have from the mouth of Williamson River is much larger (length, 14A inches) and shows 
some slight differences, we describe it fully as follows: Head 4' ; depth 4 ; eye Gi in head; snout 24; 
maxillary 3.' ; mandible 2' ; interorbital 2$ ; width of mouth 3A in head, more than half length of snout ; 
greatest width of lower lip | diameter of eye; 1). ii, 11; A. 7; scales 13-70-11. Body rather slender; head 
long, mouth moderate, horizontal: lips thick papillose, the upper with about I or 5 rows of papilla', 
lower with about 7; lower lip divided nearly to base, leaving only one row of papilla' crossing the 
symphysis; premaxillary not much projecting and not forming a prominent hump; maxillary rather 
short, not reaching vertical at front of anterior nostril ; eye equally distant between snout and poste- 
rior edge of opercle; mucous canals ou head forming raised ridges, the pores conspicuous. Fins mod- 
erate; origin of dorsal a little nearer snout than base of caudal, sixth spiue over insertion of ventrals; 
pectoral l\ in head, reaching slightly more than two-thirds distance to ventrals; ventrals not quite 
reaching vent, the seventh ray longest, 1? in head; anal long, pointed, reaching to base of caudal, 1J 
in head. Scales crowded anteriorly, about 32 transverse rows in front of dorsal, strongly ridged, the 
margins crenate. 

7. Chasmistes stomias Gilbert. 

One specimen, 15 inches long, obtained from an Indian at Klamath Falls. November 11. Head i\; 
depth 4J; eye 7; snout 2); maxillary (measured from free end to tip of snout) 3-J-; mandible 2i ; D. ii, 
11 ; A. i, 7; scales 13-85-10; interorbital width 2}; vertical depth of head at mandibular articulation 
2/;. Head small, body heavy forward, the back strongly and regularly arched from snout to origin of 
dorsal fin, thence declined in a nearly straight line to base of caudal; ventral surface nearly straight. 
Premaxillary spines strongly protruding, forming a prominently projecting snout; mouth rather srnall, 
inclined upward at an angle of about, 40 , maxillary scarcely reaching vertical from front of anterior 
nostril; width of mouth 1| in snout or 4 ; in head; upper lip thin, without papillae; lower lip thin, 
interrupted at the symphysis, forming narrow lateral lobes the width of which is about 2J times in 
their length; faint indications of a few papilla ; mucous canals forming ridges, the pores conspicuous; 
gill-rakers long, narrowly triangular at the tip when viewed from behind, densely tufted on the 
anterior edge; fontanelh- narrow, its length 2=' in the snout, its width about J its length. Fins all 
large; the origin of the dorsal a little nearer tip of snout than lcise of caudal, the sixth ray over base 
of ventral, its base ljj in head, the free edge nearly straight, the last ray 1,5 in the first, which is 14 in 
head; pectorals scarcely falcate, reaching a little more than two-thirds distance to base of ventrals, 
their length 1 T in head; ventrals long, reaching vent, the rays gradually increasing in length from the 
outer to the seventh and eighth, which are longest, the ninth and tenth being but slightly shorter, 
the length of the longest ray 1 ': in head or about ' longer than the first; anal long and pointed, the 
fourth ray longest, reaching base of caudal, l ( l , in head; each ray of anal fin with 8 to 12 strong 
tubercles; caudal lobes about equal, their length 1J times the middle ray. 

This specimen agrees with Dr. Gilbert's type,} with which we have compared it. In the type the 
mouth is rather more oblique, the maxillary is slightly longer, and the anal tin is longer. 

8. Chasmistes copei, new species. Klamath Indian name " Tswam." 

Tjpe No. 48224, U. S. N. M. (collectors' No. 871), a specimen Hi inches long. Type locality: 
Northwest part of Pelican Bay, Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon; collected (in gill net) November 0, 1896, 
by Messrs. S. E. Meek and A. It. Alexander. 

Head 3j; depth 4; eye fi! ; snout 24; maxillary (measured from free end to tip of snout) 3; 
mandible 2 ; ; 1 >. ii, 10; A. i, 7; scabs 13-80-12; interorbital width 2\ ; vertical depth of head at man- 
dibular articulation 2L Head large, cheek very deep, the depth equal to distance from tip of snout 
to nostril ; body stout, back scarcely elevated, caudal pednnele rather short and stout; ventral surface 
somewhat convex. Premaxillary spines less protruding than in C. stomias, not forming a prominent 

•Proc. Cal. Ac. Nat. Soi., I, 1855, 33. 

tl'.ull. U. S. F. C. 1897, 3. 

(Described in Hull. U. S. F. ('. 1897, 5, with figure. 



SALMON INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN IN 1896. 



71 



hump; mouth largo, inclined upward at an angle of 45 . maxillary not nearly reaching vertical at front 
of anterior nostril ; width of mouth 1 1 in snout, or 1 in head; upper lip thin, without papillae ; lower 
lip thin, entirely without papilla), interrupted at symphysis, forming rather broad lateral lobes; pores 
on head very conspicuous; gillrakers larger than in C.stomias, broadly triangular at tip when viewed 
from behind, densely tufted on anterior edge, each appendage more or less bifid and club shaped, clooely 
resembling those of C. liorus; fontanelle narrow, its length 2J in snout, width one-tit'th its length. 
Fins all small; origin of dorsal a little nearer snout than base of caudal, its sixth ray over base of 
veutrals, free edge straight, base 2+ in head, last ray a little less than 2 in tirst, which is 2 in head; 
pectorals somewhat falcate, reaching slightly more than half distance to ventrals, their length 1 in 
head; ventrals very short, reaching only two-thirds distance to vent, free end nearly straight; outer 
ray longest, 2= in head; inner shortest, :H! in head; anal tin short, bluntly pointed, not reaching base of 
caudal, third and fourth rays longest, lj in head; no tubercles on anal rays; caudal lobes equal, length 
about 1 J times the middle ray. Scabs small and crowded anteriorly, about 14 rows downward and 
backward from front of dorsal to lateral line, 11 vertically upward from base of ventral to lateral 
line, about 38 oblique series before dorsal; lateral line marly straight, with about 80 scales. Entire 
upper parts of head and body, and sides nearly to level of base of pectorals, dark olivaceous; under parts 
abruptly whitish or yellowish in alcohol: a dark spot in upper part of axil; dorsal and caudal dark; 
pectorals dark on inner surface; ventrals and anal plain. 




Flo. 3. — Ohasmistes copei Kv-rinnnii \ Meek, new species. 

From Chasmistes stomias this species is readily distinguished by its larger head, larger, more 
oblique mouth, less prominent snout, and very small tins. The differences in the tins are very great, 
particularly in the ventrals, as may be seen in the accompanying illustrations. It differs from C. 
brerirostris, as characterized by Dr. Gilbert, in its much larger, more oblique mouth, the absence of 
papilhe on the lips, and shorter fins. 

We name this species for the late Prof. Edward Drinker Cope, who wrote the first paper on the 
fishes of Upper Klamath Lake. 

Six nominal species of suckers have thus far been described from the Klamath Lakes, viz: Chas- 
mistes luxatus and ( 'hasmistes brevirostris by Cope in 1879; Catostomus rex by Rosa Smith Eigenmann in 
1891; Catostomus snyderi and Ckasmistes stomias by Gilbert, and Ckasmistes copei by Evermann & 
Meek, the last three in the present Bulletin. Mr. A. Seale has recently taken C. luxatus as the type 
of his new genus Deltistes, which he bases upon the peculiar structure of the gillrakers. Dr. Gilbert 
finds that Catostomus rex is a synonym of Deltistes luxatus. As now understood, we therefore know 
from Upper Klamath Lake one species of Catostomus, one of Deltistes, and three of I'liasmistes. 

9. Mylocheilus caurinus (Richardson). Columbia Chub. 

Obtained from Little White Salmon River, Lakes Washington and Sammamish at Seattle, and 
Lake Peud d'Oreille at Hope, Idaho. Abundant early in September in lagoon at mouth of Little White 
Salmon River, and seen in considerable numbers at steamboat landings between Portland and The 
Dalles. It does not occur in the Redfish Lakes in Idaho, nor has it been recorded from Wallowa 
Lake, nor from any of the streams or lakes south of the mouth of the Columbia. 



72 



BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



10. Ptychocheilus oregonensis (Richardson). SguawfisJi : Yellowbelly. 

This large minnow is abundant throughout the Columbia River basin except the portion above 
Shoshone Falls. In Montana, and perhaps elsewhere, it is called "squawfish"; at Sawtooth, Idaho, it 
is known only as "yellowbelly"; at Mapleton, Oregon, "chub" was the only name heard applied to 
it; while at Tsiltcoos Lake it was called "dace." Specimens obtained from Lakes Alturas, I 'end 
d'Oreille, Gamlin. Washington, Tsiltcoos, YVhoahink, and Tahkenitch, and from Siuslaw River. One 
was taken on a set line in Whoahink Lake, at a depth of 78 feet, on December 3. 

Scale and fin formulae and comparative measurements of specimens of P. oregont nsia from Lake Washington. 



Length 

in 
inches. 


Head. 


Depth. 


Eye. 


Snout. 


Dor- 
sal. 


Anal. 


Scales. 


Length 

in 
inches. 


Head. Depth. 1 


Snout. 


Dor- 
sal. 


Anal. 


Scales. 


7.25.. 


3.64 


5.33 


5.60 


1.80 


10 


9 


70 


5. 25 . . 


:i 78 5. 00 1 5. 00 


1.42 


10 


9 


77 


7.75.. 


3.67 


5. 00 5. K0 


2.00 


10 


9 


80 


5.00... 


3. 60 | 4. 86 I 5. 25 


1.67 


10 


9 


74 


7.00.. 


3.50 


5.00 ; 5.60 


1.80 


10 


9 


77 


4.63... 


3. 83 4. 75 1 5. 00 


1.67 


10 


9 


76 


5.75.. 


3.57 


5. 00 5. 17 


1.67 


10 


9 


74 


4.38... 


3. 83 i 4. 67 4. 67 


1.50 


10 


9 


74 


5.88.. 


3.44 


5.00 5 (in 


1.50 


10 


9 


74 


4.38... 


3. 07 4. 67 5. 00 


1.50 


10 


9 


77 


5.50.. 


3.67 


5. 00 5. 00 


1.50 


10 


9 


75 


3.17... 


3.00 1 4.60 4.01) 
1 


1.40 


10 


9 


78 



11. Leuciscus bicolor (Girard). 

Judging from our collections, this is the most abundant minnow in Upper Klamath Lake. About 
60 were obtained at the lower end of the lake November 10, and over 100 from a small creek at Pelican 
Bay November 5. At the time of collecting this species was found in the shallow water of the little 
creeks and passages among the tules. The largest are 9 to 10 iuches long, but only a few exceed 3 
inches. Examples 2 to 3 inches long gave the following measurements: Head 1 ; depth 5r eye 3 | to 
3|; snout 4| to 4£; scales 59; teeth 2, 5-5, 2. See illustration on page 7 of this Bulletin. 




Fig. 1. — Leuciscus siuslawi Evenuann & Meek, new species. 



12. Leuciscus siuslawi, new species. 

Type No. 48480, U. S. N. M., a specimen 5 inches long. Cotypes No. 433 U. S. F. C. ; No. 18231, 
U. S. N. M., and No. 5702, L. S. Jr., Univ. Mas. Type locality: Siuslaw River at Mapleton, Oregon. 
Collected September 8, 1896, by S. E. Meek. 

Head 4J; depth 4, 1 , ; eye 4; snout 3A; maxillary 3j ; D. ii, 9; A. ii, 12 or 13; scales 11-58-8; teeth 
2, 4-5, 2, somewhat hooked. 

Body rather slender, slightly elevated and somewhat compressed; head small and pointed, cheek 
not deep; snout pointed, somewhat longer than eye; mouth moderate, somewhat oblique, maxillary 
just reaching vertical at front of orbit; jaws subequal, the lower sometimes slightly projecting; eye 
large, not as great as snout. Origin of dorsal So behind base of ventrals and much nearer base of 
caudal than tip of snout, the longest ray li in head, greater than base of tin; origin of anal fin under 



SALMON INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN IN 1896. 



73 



last dorsal ray but two, its height equal to that of dorsal, its base equal to its longest ray ; free edges 
of dorsal and anal nearly straight; pectoral 1} to 1| in head, not reaching insertion of ventrals; 
ventrals short, 1' in pectoral, reaching anus; caudal deeply forked; lateral line complete, decurved; 
color in spirits, brownish or olivaceous above, middle of side with a broad dark band involving the 
lateral line anteriorly and posteriorly, but lying chiefly above it mesially ; middle of side from gill 
opening to beneath dorsal tin with a broad rosy band, following closely beneath the lateral line; 
lower part of sides and under parts silvery, dusted over with tine dark specks; ;i light yellowish band 
extending backward from upper posterior border of eye nearly halfway to origin of dorsal fin; cheek 
with a silvery or golden crescent; top of head dark ; opercles dusky silvery ; snout dusky; fins plain, 
dorsal and caudal somewhat dusky. Numerous specimens were obtained in the Siuslaw River and 
one from Tsiltcoos Lake. 

At Mapleton both this minnow and PtycKocfteilua oregonensis are known as "chub," while on the 
lakes south of Florence they are called "dace." It is probably common in these lakes, but a single 
specimen only was obtained there. 

Compared with I.envisciis balleatus, which our specimens most closely resemble, the latter are seen 
to have smaller anal and dorsal tins, a more slender body, smaller and more slender head, and longer, 
more pointed snout. The extent of variation in proportional measurements and in the number of anal 
fin rays appears to be much less than in L. balteatus. 

This species also resembles Leiicisciis cooper i of Oirard. Iu the type of L. cooperi (No. 238, 
U. S.N. M.) the lower jaw is notably shorter and the snout more pointed. 

In the following statement will be found measurements of a number of specimens from Siuslaw 
River, Mapleton, Oregon: 



Total 
length 


Head. Depth. 


Eye. 


Snout. 


Dor- 
sal. 


Anal. 


Scales. 


Total 

length 


Head. 


Depth. 


Eye. 


Snout. 


Dor- 
sal. 


Anal. 


Scales. 


Inches. 
















Inches. 
















5.75 


4.20 


4.17 


4.(10 


3.50 


9 


13 


11-58-7 


4. jo 


4.00 


3.83 


3.50 


3.50 


9 


12 


10-60-7 


5.5(1 


4.00 


4. 00 


4. (10 


3. GO 


8 


11 


12-59-7 


4.50 


4. 00 


4.00 3. so 


3.50 


9 


12 


10-59-7 


5.50 


4.00 


4.17 


4.00 


3.60 


9 


13 


10-59-7 


4.50 


4.00 


4. 40 3. 40 


3.80 


9 


12 


10-61-7 


5.50 


4.17 


4.17 


4. (JO 


3.60 


9 


13 


12-64-6 


4.50 


4.00 


3.80 


3.80 


3.75 


9 


13 


10-59-7 


5. 25 


4.00 


4.011 


4.00 


:i. 7:. 


8 


12 


12-00-7 


4. '.'5 


4.00 


4.00 


3.60 


3.80 


9 


11 


10-63-6 


5. 110 


4. 0(1 3. 80 


3.50 


3.60 


8 


13 


12-60-7 


4.00 


4.00 


1.00 


3.20 


4.00 


9 


13 


10-61-7 


4.50 


4. 00 4. 17 


3.50 


3.50 


9 


13 


12-64-6 



















The anal fin rays were counted in 1(1 additional specimens with the following results, the average 
for the total 29 specimens being 12J : 



Total 
length. 


No. of 
anal 
rays. 


Total 
length. 


No. of 
anal 
rays. 


Total 

length. 


No. of 
anal 
rays. 


Inches. 




Inches. 




Inches. 




5. 75 


11 


2.50 


13 


2.63 


13 


5.75 


13 


2.25 


12 


2.63 


13 


3.00 


12 


2.25 


12 


2.63 


13 


3.00 


13 


2.81 


12 


2.50 


14 


2.50 


13 


2.75 


13 


2.13 
a 4. 63 


13 
12 











a From the outlet of Tsiltcoos Lake. 



13. Leuciscus balteatus (Richardson). 

Abundant throughout the Columbia River basin except above Shoshone Falls. Specimens obtained 
from Alturas, Pend d'Oreille, Gamlin, and Washington lakes. The variation in the number of anal flu 
rays of specimens from these localities is shown in the following table. The length is measured from 
tip of snout to base of caudal fin. The last ray, though usually deeply divided, is counted as one. 
There are usually two rudimentary rays at front of fin, which are not counted. Of 30 specimens 
from Gamlin Lake, 1 has 13 rays, 7 have 15, 11 have 10, 1 have 17, and 4 have 18, the average being 16 
rays. Of 10 specimens from Lake Washington 5 have 14 rays, 3 have 15, 1 has 10, and 1 has 18, the 
average being 15 rays. 



74 



BULLETIN OP THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



Table allowing variation in the number of rays in the anal fin in Leuriscus balteatus 













Lake 'Wash- 
















Length 




Length 




Length 




Length 




in 


Anal. 


in 


Anal. 


in 


\ I » : 1 1 


in 


Anal. 


inches. 




inches. 




inches. 




inches. 




1.88 


16 


1.63 


16 


1.75 


16 


2. 75 


15 


1.88 


16 


1.50 


16 


1.75 


18 


3.13 


14 


1.88 


16 


2.00 


18 


1.75 


15 


2.50 


14 


1.88 


17 


2.13 


15 


2.00 


16 


3.13 


15 


1.75 


15 


1.75 


17 


2.00 


16 


3.13 


14 


2.00 


16 


1.88 


16 


1.63 


18 


3.50 


14 


1.88 


15 


1.88 


18 


1.88 


16 


3.50 


16 


1.75 


16 


1.75 


15 


1.75 


13 


4.00 


15 


1.75 


17 


1.75 


17 


1.50 


15 


3.75 


18 


1.63 


16 


1.75 


15 


a 4. 75 


16 


3.88 


14 



a From Lake Pend d'Oreille. 

14. Rutilus bicolor (Girard). 

Numerous specimens obtained in a slough at Pelican Bay and others at the south end of Upper 
Klamath Lake. Some were caught in a gill net, others in a small dip net. such as is used by Klamath 
Indians; a few were taken on a set line, but the majority were obtained by means of a small seine, in 
small sloughs or lagoons at the south end of Upper Klamath Lake. It seems to be one of the most 
abundant species occurring in the lake. The largest measure about 9 inches in total length. There 
does not appear to be much variation in the number of scales or (in rays, or in proportional measure- 
ments, as is shown in the following table. The Indians use this species for bait when fishing for 
trout near Klamath Falls, the average length of those thus used being about 4 inches. It is caught 
in large numbers in dip nets in the edge of the tules. This species is figured on page 8 of this Bulletin. 

Table showing variation in 13 specimens of Rutilus bicolor from Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon. 



Length in 
inches. 


Head. 


Depth. 


Eye. 


Snout. 


Maxil. 
lary. 


Dorsal. 


Anal. 


Scales. 


9.00 


3. 75 


3. 75 


7.00 


3.50 


4.00 


9 


8 


49 


9.25 


3.75 


3.67 


6.00 


3.50 


3.75 


9 


8 


49 


6.00 


3.75 


3.75 


5.50 


3. 75 


4. 25 


9 


8 


48 


4.50 


4.00 


4.00 


4.50 


4.00 


4.20 


9 


8 


47 


4.50 


3.75 


3.75 


4.50 


4.00 


4.25 


9 


8 


48 


4.25 


4.00 


4.00 


4.50 


4.00 


4.25 


9 


8 


46 


5.25 


3. 50 


4.00 


5.00 


3.50 


4.33 


it 


8 


48 


3.75 


3.50 


4.00 


4. 25 


3.67 


4. 25 


9 


8 


49 


3.75 


3.511 


4.00 


4.50 


4.00 


4.00 


9 


8 


44 


3.50 


3.50 


3.75 


4.25 


4.00 


4.50 


9 


8 


46 


3.50 


3.50 


4.25 


4.20 


4.00 


4.33 


8 


7 


47 


3.50 


3.67 


4.25 


4.00 


4.00 


4. 25 


9 


7 


47 


2.50 


3.60 


4.33 


3.50 


4.50 


4.25 


9 


8 


46 



15. Rhinichthys dulcis (Girard). 

One specimen from Wallowa Lake. The origin of the dorsal is midway between tip of snout and 
base of caudal peduncle. 

16. Agosia klamathensis, new species 

Type No. 482L»5, U. S. N. M. ; cotypes No. 5704, L. S. Jr. Univ. Mus. and No. 451, U. S. F. C. 
Type locality at mouth of the small creek which flows into the arm of Upper Klamath Lake called 
Pelican Bay, where numerous specimens were collected November 3, 1896, by Dr. Seth E. Meek and 
Mr. A. B. Alexander. Length of type 24 inches, measured to last caudal vertebra. 

Close to Agosia nubila. 

An examination of a large series of specimens of Agosia from Upper Klamath Lake and a comparison 
of them with specimens of J. nubila from various localities show the lish from this lake to possess certain 
characters which serve to distinguish it from typical A. nubila. While the differences are slight, they 
are plainly evident and must be recognized, and we therefore describe this form as a new species. 

Head 4; depth 11 ; eye ii in head; snout 3i. D. i, 8; A. i, 7; scales about 14-78-10 (average, 73 
in 49 specimens). 



SALMON INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN IN 189(5. 



75 



Body robust, subcylindrical, back somewhat elevated; snonl rather long, month inferior, little 
oblique, the lower jaw included; maxillary not reaching front of orbit ; upper lip without frenum ; 
barbel present, but small. Lateral line incomplete, interrupted in many places, about 30 pores devel- 
oped. Origin of dorsal tin midway between front of pupil and base of caudal lin ; pectorals rather 
short, reaching about three-fourths the distance to base of ventrals ; ventrals reaching vent; anal largo, 
its longest ray 11 in brad; eauclal widely lurked. 

Color in alcohol, olivaceous, mottled and blotched with darker on bach and sides; under parts 
pale; an obscurepnlo streak from eye to liase of caudal lin. below which is a broad chirk band; dorsal, 
pectorals, and caudal dusky ; other lins plain ; a black blotch at base of caudal. 

An examination of the 48 specimens which we designate as cotypes shows all the important char- 
acters to be fairly constant. The barbel is in a few rases obscure or possibly absent. The number 
of scales in a transverse line varies from 68 to 78, the average being 73. The lateral line is in all cases 
incomplete, though in different degrees; sometimes it is continuous for only 6 or 8 scales, after which 
there are several interruptions and only 8 to 10 more pores; in others there are 20 to 30 pores in a 
continuous series. 




Fig. 5. — Agoaia %lamaihen8U Evermann & Meek, new species. 

This form is distinguished from Agoaia mibila chiefly by the smaller size of the scales. This 
difference will appear from an examination of the tabular statement which follows: 

Table showing number of scales in Aijosiu nubila and Agoaia klamathensis. 



Locality. 



No. of Variation Averape 
specimens in number munberot' 
examined, of scales, scales 



Agoaia nubila: 

ColvilJe River, Meyers Falls 

Little Spokane River, Dart's Mill. 

Hangman Creek, Tekoa, Wa.sh 

Lake Cceur d' Alene 

Newaukum River, Chebalis 

Boise River, Caldwell 

Potlatch Creek, Lew is ton 

Pataha River, Starbuck 

"Walla Walla River, Wallula 

Mill Creek. Walla Walla 

Umatilla River, Pendleton 

Columbia River, Umatilla 

Natchess River, North Yakani:t . . 

Shooknmchuck River, Chebalia. . . 
Aaosia lelamathenris : 

Pelican Ray, t'pper Klamath Lake 



6 
9 

10 
9 

(') 

1 

10 



3 

7 

(!) 

6 

49 



52-57 
52-68 
51-65 
64-70 
53-58 
56 
60-66 
60-64 
47-55 
52-61 
48-58 
48-57 
53-58 
50-57 

68-78 



55 
62 
57 
66 
55 
56 
62 
62 
49 
55 
52 
53 
56 
55 



17. Clupanodon caeruleus (Girard). California Sardine. 

Very abundant iu Siuslaw River about the cannery wharf at Florence during the canning season. 
It seems to disappear as soon as the fall rains set in and the river becomes filled with fresh water. 
The specimens seen were each about 2i inches in length. 



76 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 

18. Alosa sapidissima (Wilson), Common Eastern Shad. 

During the salmon fishing season of 1896 in the Siuslaw River about a dozen shad were taken — 
one in a salmon gill net near Mapleton about the middle of October, the others in salmon seines at 
Acme in September and October. The specimen caught near Mapleton is a male 18 inches long and 
weighing about 2^ pounds. The spermaries are but. slightly developed, indicating that the spawning 
season would be some months earlier than when this fish was taken. Head 4; depth 3; orbit 4-1 ; 
snout 4| ; maxillary 2; gill-rakers 35+68 on the left and 36+68 on the right. 

The first planting of shad on the Pacific coast was made in 1871 by Mr. Seth Green, who liberated 
about 10,000 fry in the Sacramento River 275 miles above Sacramento. The second plant was made in 
July, 1873, by .Mr. Livingston Stone, who placed 35,000 fry in the Sacramento River at Tehama. Vari- 
ous subsef[uent plants have been made by the U. S. Fish Commission in California, all at Tehama, the 
last plant Inning been made in 1880. Besides these plants made in the Sacramento River, 60,000 fry 
were placed in the Willamette River at Portland and 10,000 in Snake River in 1885. In 1886. 550,000 
fry were liberated in the Willamette River at Albany, and 300,000 in the Columbia at Wallula Junc- 
tion. In 1884, 1885, and 1886, 2,651,000 shad fry were placed in the Colorado River at The Needles, 
Arizona. No investigation has ever been made for the purpose of determining the result of the plant- 
ings made in the Colorado River and it is not known whether any of the fry survived. The results 
from the plants made in California and Oregon, however, are little less than marvelous, as shown by 
Dr. H. M. Smith in a recent paper. 

From the Sacramento and Columbia rivers shad have spread to Los Angeles County, California, 
on the south, and Wrangeil Island, Alaska, on the north. They had spread from San Francisco to the 
Columbia River as early as 1880, and by 1882 had been taken at various places along the Washington 
coast. The only passages through which the planted shad could reach the sea are the mouth of the 
Columbia River and the Golden Gate. From these points they have spread up and down the Pacific 
coast a distance of more than 1,300 miles. This is greater than its range in latitude on the Atlantic 
coast. Not only have they spread to these distant points, but shad have been reported from a number 
of intermediate places, among which are Monterey Bay, Drake Bay, Klamath River, Rogue River, 
Umpqua River, Siuslaw River, Fraser River, and the north end of Vancouver Island. 

These facts in the distribution of the shad on the Pacific coast are of extreme interest and 
importance as bearing directly upon the belief, still more or less prevalent, that anadromous fishes 
possess a mysterious geographic instinct which leads them back to the stream in which they were 
spawned. While the number of shad entering the < 'olumbia and San Francisco Bay is far greater than 
that for all the other rivers combined, it is nevertheless true that many shad have found their way to 
other and distant streams. The extent to which this has occurred seems to us fully sufficient to 
disprove the possession by the shad of any "special geographic instinct." We believe the same to 
be true of the various kinds of salmon and other anadromous species. The question is in need of further 
research, but investigations already made indicate that anadromous fishes, like migrating birds, are 
guided in their movements by landmarks or other tangible physical features or conditions. 

The young shad hatched in any given stream go down to the sea, but probably do not ordinarily 
wander far from the mouth of that particular river. When they become mature, and physiological 
unrest, due to the development of the reproductive organs, comes on, they begin to search for suitable 
spawning-beds, and the chances are they will find the river in which they were hatched. The 
majority will find this stream, while, those that wandered farthest from its mouth may find others 
which they will enter. 

19. Coregonus williamsoni Girard. Koclcii Mountain ll'liilejish. 

Common throughout the Columbia River basin. Specimens obtained from Alturas, Pend d'Oreille, 
and Wallowa lakes, Des Chutes River at Sherar's Bridge, and Big White Salmon River. A specimen 
10 inches long, taken in the gill net in Alturas Inlet July 27, has the bead 5; depth 44; eye 45; snout 
31; maxillary 33, ; D. 12; A. 11; scales 86. 

Another example, a female, 12J inches long and with well-developed roe, was taken with the hook 
at Sherar's Bridge August 30. Head 5; depth 4$; eye5; snout 3^; maxillary 3 ! ; D.13; A. 11; scales 
88. In this specimen the adipose fin is remarkably large, its base being half length of head, its 
height 6 J in bead. This species spawns in October at Big Payette Lake, in Idaho, but the condition 
of the ovaries of the specimen taken at Sherar's Bridge indicates a much earlier spawning period. 



* A Review of the History and Results of the Attemnts to acclimatize Fish and other Water Animals 
in the Pacific States, in Bull'. U. S. F. C. 1895, 407. 



SALMON INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN IN 1896. 77 

20. Oncorhynchus keta (Walliaum). Dog Stibium 

According to Mr. Alexander, this salmon usually commences to run in the southern part of Puget 
Sound about the middle of October and continues until the first of December. In 1895 and 1896 they 
were quite numerous. Duriug fall and winter all the small creeks, lagoons, and sloughs near Duwam- 
ish and Cedar rivers are filled with dog salmon, and boys find great amusement killing them with 
clubs and stones. In the rivulets by the roadside, when- the water is not over 2 or 3 inches deep, dug 
salmon may be seen trying to get farther upstream. At such times they are iu poor condition and no 
use is made of them. 

The condition of the dog salmon in January, 1897, was unusually good. These fish were plump iu 
appearance and marked with that brightness which they possess when first coming from the ocean. 
In the opinion of some of the dealers many of the January (1897) run were fresh from the ocean. Their 
eggs, like those of the steelhead, showed various degrees of development; most of the fish were well 
advanced, however. It has been only a few years since it was known that any species other than the 
steelhead was to be found in Puget Sound during winter, but it is now thought that salmon have 
always been more or less plentiful in Puget Sound during the winter months — not a heavy run, but 
enough to supply the local demand. In former years, there being do sale for salmon after the canneries 
were closed, fishing was almost wholly suspended until the next season. As soon, however, as the 
experiment of shipping fresh salmon to eastern markets proved a success, a new industry was opened, 
and fishermen who had hitherto given no thought to winter fishing now began to investigate the 
waters of Puget Sound out of season, and the result is that a winter fishery of considerable importance 
has been introduced in Seattle and other places on the sound and is increasing yearly. The steelhead 
is the most valuable fish for shipment to eastern markets, as it reaches its destination in better condi- 
tion than other species. 

21. Oncorhynchus tschawytscha ( Walbaum). Chinook salmon. 

Very few Chinook salmon came to the headwaters of Salmon River in 1896, perhaps not over a 
dozen, where there were about 1,000 in 1895. The number which came to the Wallowa spawning-beds 
was also very small. Important spawning-beds were found in Little White Salmon River, and con- 
siderable numbers were found spawning in Big White Salmon River, Eagle Creek, and Tanner Creek. 

Young chinooks were found in Siuslaw River in considerable numbers anil a few were obtained in 
Lake Washington. Two specimens, '21 and 2j inches in length, respectively, from the mouth of Big 
White Salmon agree perfectly with those gotten in 1895 at Alturas Lake. These two specimens were 
evidently hatched the preceding winter. 

Nine specimens from the Siuslaw River, caught with hook and line at Florence, October 14, 1896; 
leugth, 5, 5J, 0, 6+, 6J, 7, 7, 7, and 7A inches respectively. Salmon of this size are very abundant about 
the cannery wharf during the canning season. They are easily caught with hooks baited with 
salmon eggs. 

Two specimens 11 J and Hi inches in length from Seattle, Washington, caught December 8, 1896. 
These specimens were no doubt hatched during the, winter of 1894-95. One specimen, 6 inches long, was 
taken with a seine near the mouth of the Siuslaw River December 9, 1896. It is the same age as the 
specimens mentioned above from Florence. One small, nearly ripe male, length 18} inches, from the 
Siuslaw River at Mapletou, Oregon, was caught on a hook baited with salmon eggs. A few other 
specimens of the same size were caught, in the same way while fishing for trout about October 21. We 
are informed that it is not uncommon to catch these fish with baited hooks. 

A few of these small male salmon were seen on the spawning-beds in the North Fork, near 
Minerva, October 23 and 24. They were mutilated 1 he same as the larger ones, and one was in a dying 
condition. 

On September 9 Mr. A. B. Alexander examined 129 chiuook salmon in the Florence cannery; of 
these 76 were females and 53 were males; 25 of the females and 13 of the males were fully developed. 
On September 11 he examined 546 chinooks; of these 317 were females and 229 males; 229 females and 
110 males were nearly ripe. There were among this number 25 small fish from 18 to 25 inches in 
length; these were as fully developed as the large ones. 

During the latter part of September and early part of October, Mr. Alexander examined many 
chinook salmon at Celilo and obtained much valuable information as to their spawning condition. 
In one lot of 119 fish examined 57 were males aud 62 females; 34 males and 47 females were nearly or 
finite ripe, and would have spawned by the 8th or 10th of October. 

In the following tables is given a record of the fish examined by Mr. Alexander. 



78 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 

Chinook salmon taken in fish-tvheeU by Mr. I. H. Taffe, Celilo, Oregon, September IS to 22, 1S96. 



Date. 


Males. 


Femalea. 


Total. 


Number. 


Well de- 
veloped. 


Number. 


Well de- 
veloped. 


189(5. 


19 
8 
18 
12 


10 
5 
11 

8 


9 
10 

35 
8 


9 

6 

26 

6 


28 
18 
53 
20 


19 


21 


22 




57 


34 


62 


47 1 119 



Among the 119 chinook salmon, 13 small ones were found, all males, anil their milt as fully 
developed as that in larger fish. Sometimes the wheels take these fish in considerable numbers. 

Chinook salmon taken by Mr. F. A. Seufert, at Celilo, Oregon, September 25 to October 13, 1S0G. 



Date. 


Males. 


Femalea. 


Total. 


Number. 


Well de- 
veloped. 


Number. 


Well de- 
veloped. 


1896. 


82 
15 

109 
56 
56 
60 

122 
63 
43 
77 


67 
11 
82 
47 
50 
50 
105 
55 
38 
69 


64 
17 
89 
70 
49 
76 
148 
67 
51 
88 


61 
17 
76 
63 
44 
73 
144 
65 
51 
64 


146 
32 
198 
126 
in:, 
136 
270 
130 
94 
165 


26 




28 


29 


Oct. 2 


5 


7 


10 


13 




683 


574 


719 


658 


1,402 



In a total of 683 males and 719 females Mr. Alexander found 574 males and 658 females which, in 
his judgment, were nearly ripe. In other words, 81 per cent of the males and 90 per cent of the females 
would have spawned between the first and middle of October. These observations indicate that 
chinook salmon can be obtained abundantly at Celilo by wheels and that if retained a few days they 
would be ripe enough for stripping. Whether the wheels seriously injure the fish can be determined 
only after actual experiment with fish so caught. If the wheels do not injure them they can probably 
be kept until fully ripe in properly constructed retaining boxes or ponds, as was demonstrated by 
experiments atMapleton, Oregon. 

According to Mr. Alexander chinook salmon appear in the lower part of Puget Sound about the 
1st of May and continue to increase in numbers until July. Scattering ones are taken, however, 
throughout the year in all parts of the sound. 

22. Oncorhynchus kisutch (Walbaum). Silver salmon. 

Our collection contains specimens of this species as follows: 

Three ripe males, one 16 inches in length, caught December 1 iu Whoahink Lake, the other two, 
16 and 17.J inches respectively, December 3, in Tsiltcoos Lake. Specimens of this size and very much 
smaller were frequently caught in the seine at Acme. Not less than 50 of these were examined. All 
were males with sexual organs as- highly developed as in the larger ones. 

One large ripe male from Tsiltcoos Lake, caught in a gill net December 3, 1896. Immaculate, back 
with a bluish tinge, body bright red, mouth much distorted. Locally called "hookbilled silverside." 

There is a moderately small form of the silver salmon in the Siuslaw River called blueback, 
which resemble the true blueback in size, form, and color, but are more spotted. Two specimens, 8f and 
10 inches iu length respectively, from Tsiltcoos Lake near outlet, December 2, 1896. Back, brownish 
blue; dorsal, nearly black, darker on posterior part; pectorals, light brownish ; ventrals, white; anal 
fin with a dark shade. These specimens were probably hatched during the winter of 1894-95. 

Two specimens from Seattle, Washington, 10* inches iu length. 



SALMON INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN IN 1896. 



79 



Six mature specimens from Union Lake near Seattle, Washington, 4 males and 2 females. 

Of the small specimens, no doubt hatched during the winter of 1895-96, our collection contains 
the following: 

Two specimens, 2J and 3* inches in length respectively, hatched during the winter of 1895-96 by 
Mr. L. E. Beau at Mapleton and retained in a small spring brook until September 9, 1896. 

One, 31 inches long, caught in a seine in Siuslaw River below Florence December 8, 1896. 

Two specimens, 5J and 5| inches respectively, caught with a seine in Tsiltcoos Lake December 1, 
1896. All three with parr marks present; no red on sides; dorsal, adipose, and caudal fins yellowish; 
caudal reddish near tips; pectoral and ventrals yellowish. 

During the latter part of September and early part of October Mr. Alexander was at Celilo, on the 
Columbia River, and made some valuable observations upon the silver salmon. He examined a total of 
2,268 fish of this species, all of which he found well advanced, indicating to him that they would 
spawn before the middle of October. 

Silver salmon examined by Mr. Alexander at Celilo. 



Taken in wheels by Mr. Tatie : 

Sept, 18, 1896..'. 

Sept. 19, 18116 

Sept. 21. 1896 

Sept. 22, 1896 

Taken in seines by Mr. Seuferl 

Sept.26,1896 

Sept. 27. 1896 

Sept. 28, 1896 

Sept, 29,1896 

Oct. 2, 1896 

Oct. 5, 1896 

Oct. 7, 1896 

Oct. II), 1896 

Oct. 13, 1899 



Mali- 



Num- 
ber. 



9 

11 



136 
157 
117 
102 
137 
149 
96 
68 
49 



Well de- 
veloped. 



21 



112 
146 
97 
73 
123 
105 
83 
63 
41 



Female. 



Num- 
ber. 



1 
2 
13 



24 



149 
186 
123 
115 
166 
144 
127 
86 
106 



1,202 



Well de. 

veloped. 



Total. 



6 

8 

22 

19 



1,048 



135 


285 


160 


343 


114 


240 


83 


217 


145 


303 


123 


293 


119 


223 


78 


154 


91 


155 



2,213 



Silver salmon first appear in the southern end of Paget Sound about the 1st of September, and the 
run usually lasts until the first or middle of November. A few individuals arc taken as late as 
December, after which few are seen in the sound, but a good many are caught in Duwamish River. 
23. Oncorhynchus nerka ( Walbaum). Blueback Salmon; "Redfish"; " Sockeye." 

The investigations made in Idaho in 1894 and 1895 resulted in settling some of the disputed 
questions eoticerning the redfish, but left others still in doubt. The details of the observations made 
in those years will be found in the reports already published. * A summary of the conclusions reached 
regarding the life-history of the redfish is given on page 16 of this article. 

Although no satisfactory evidence was obtained as to the occurrence of the small form anywhere 
in the stream below the lakes, this was not considered proof that it does not come up from the sea. 
So (dose is its resemblance to the native trout, except at spawning time, that it would probably not 
attract the attention of anyone, even if seen below the lakes. 

In order to obtain more definite results in the study of this problem, the redfish lakes of Idaho 
were again visited in 1896. Camp was established July 11, on Altnras Lake Creek at the crossing of 
the trail a short distance below Perkins Lake. Gil] nets were set in the outlet the same day and were 
kept set until September 25. These nets were examined from day to day during the entire period of 
seventy six days and not a single redfish was caught in them. The water was so high and the current 
so swift during the first ten days the nets were set that it was impossible to place them so as to wholly 
obstruct the stream. It is therefore possible that fish may have ascended the stream and passed the nets 

*A Preliminary Report upon Salmon Investigations in Idaho in 1894, by Barton W, Evermann, 
Bull. U. S. F. C. 1895, 253-284. 

A Report upon Salmon Investigations in the Headwaters of the Columbia River, in the State of 
Idaho, in 1895; together with Notes upon the Fishes observed in that State in 1894 and 1895, by Barton 
W. Evermann, Bull. U. S. F. C. 1896, 149-202, plates 67-72. 



80 



BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



during that time. This, however, is improbable. Our camp was situated upon the bank of the stream, 
the water was at all times very clear, and we were able to keep close watch for fish. If any redfish 
had come up during those ten days it is more than probable they would have been seen by some of us. 
After July 22 these nets were examined usually about three times each week, and though other fishes, 
such as yellowbellies, Dolly Varden trout, suckers, and whitetish, were caught by them, no redtish, 
either large or small, were taken. But small redtish were in the lake at least as early as July 16, and 
they began entering the inlet August 3. Between August 3 and August 28 the number in the inlet 
increased rapidly until the latter date, when 1,569 were counted. 

The first small redtish seen was caught on a hook in Alturas Lake, just off the inlet, July 16, by 
Mr. Maddren, while fishing for Dolly Varden trout. The hook was baited with salmon spawn. This 
fish was a male Hi inches in total length, and the stomach contained a small amount of insect larva 1 . 
Of the many examples, taken by a gill net in Alturas Inlet on August 6, 9 were examined, only one of 
which showed any trace of food in the stomach. 

Twelve specimens, caught with grab-hook in Wallowa Lake about the 1st of September by Mr. 
J.J. Stanley, were all i[iiite fat, and food was found in the stomachs of all but three. This food 
consisted chiefly of small crustaceans, a few insect larvae, and some gelatinous alga, probably a Xostoe. 

Among the fishes from Lake Washington arc 5 redfish, 3 of which are 7 to 8 inches long, the other 
2 about 4 inches each. These were all collected June 15 by .Mr. Alexander. Each contains more or 
less food in the stomach. Two other Bmall redfish were obtained, which had been taken on the fly by 
Mr. E. L. Kellogg while fishing in Lake Sammamish about May 15. 

Whether this fish is auadromous or not is an exceedingly difficult matter to determine. If it comes 
up from the sea it reaches the lakes much earlier in the summer or spring than has hitherto been sup- 
posed. The fact that it feeds while in the lakes is now fully established, and it apparently continues 
to feed almost or quite to the time when it runs into the inlets for spawning. The one with food in 
its stomach, taken in Alturas Inlet August fi, had just reached the inlet on that night. The specimens 
from Wallowa Lake were caught in the upper end of the lake near the inlet, which they doubtless 
would have ascended in a few days. 

A consideration of small redtish from different localities, as to their size, proves interesting and 
suggestive. Those from Alturas Lake are larger and much more uniform in size than those from 
other places. Those from Washington, Stuart, and Nicola lakes are somewhat smaller, while those 
from Wallowa Lake are much smaller. These differences in size are, in some cases, doubtless due to 
differences in age, the specimens having been taken earlier at some of the lakes than at others, but 
the marked difference between the Alturas and Wallowa specimens can not be accounted for on this 
basis. It is doubtful if any of the Wallowa individuals would have reached even the minimum size of 
those taken at Alturas Lake. This fact is brought out in the following table. In the first column are 
given lengths in inches, the length being measured to the tip of the caudal fin; in the oth^r columns 
are given the number of fish of each length from the respective lakes named at the head of the columns. 

Table showing comparative sizes of specimens of the small redfish from different lakes. 



Length 
in inches. 


Alturas. 


Wallowa. 


Washing- 
Ion. 


Stewart. 


Nicola. 


( 'hiliiuiv- 
uck. 


Total 
number. 


7.00 
8. 00 
8.25 
8.50 
8.75 
9.00 
9.25 
9.50 
9.75 
1(1.00 
10.25 
10.50 
10.75 
11.00 
11.25 
11.50 
11.75 
12 00 
12.25 
12.50 




2 
1 




» 






2 

1 

1 

4 

2 

3 

1 

2 

5 

5 

10 

10 

6 

9 

15 

39 

20 

l l 

4 














1 
4 

1 
1 


























1 








2 






1 








1 




1 

2 






3 

4 
5 
4 








1 
1 




4 
4 
6 

15 

20 
19 
6 

4 












2 
























































































126 


11 


17 


4 


4 


2 


164 



SALMON INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN IN 1896. 



81 



Table of comparative measurements of small redfish from Alturas and Wallowa lakes. 



Wallowa Lake. 


No. 


Length 
in inches. 


Sex. 


Ilead. 


Depth. 


Eye. 


Snout. 


Maxil- 
lary. 


Scales. 


102 


9.38 


Male 


4.00 


4.00 


5.00 


4.20 


1.90 


130 


103 


8.50 


...do ... 


3.911 


4.00 


5.00 


3.80 


2. on 


1311 


104 


7.13 


. . do .... 


i oo 


4.00 


4.67 


4.00 


1.85 


127 


105 


7. mi 


...d,. .... 


4.20 


4.00 


4.50 


4.60 


2.00 


128 


106 


8.75 


...do .... 


4.00 


4.00 


4.75 


4.00 


2.00 


126 


107 


8.13 


...do .... 


4.00 


4.00 


4.67 


4.50 


2.00 


127 


108 


8.38 


...do.... 


4.00 


3.75 


4.83 


4.00 


2.00 


120 


Kill 


9.00 


...do.... 


4.00 


4.00 


4.75 


4.50 


2.00 


126 


110 


8.63 


...do .... 


4.00 


4.00 


4.50 


4.16 


2. Oil 


128 


111 


8.25 


...do.... 


3.83 


4.00 


4.80 


4. Oil 


2.00 


122 


112 


8.63 ■ 


...do ... 


4.00 


4.10 


5.00 


4.00 


2.00 


126 


113 


6.38 


...do .... 


4.40 


4.50 


4.25 


5.25 


2. Id 


125 


155 


5. 25 


...do.... 


4.40 


4. 50 


4.33 


5. 25 


2.13 


124 


Alturas Luke. 


No. 


Length 
in inches. 


Sex. 


Head. 


Depth. 


Eye. 


Snout. 


Maxil- 
lary. 


Scales. 


786 


11.50 


Male... 


4.50 


4.33 


4.25 


4. 50 


2.00 


126 


788 


12. 00 


...do .... 


3.80 


4.00 


5.00 


3.50 


I. fll 




807 


12. 50 


...do ... 


3. 75 


4.00 


5.25 


3.33 


1.75 





803 


11.50 


...do .... 


3.80 


4. 20 


5.00 


3.33 


1.80 




808 


12. mi 


Female . 


4.13 


4.50 


4.50 


4.00 


2.00 




811 


12.25 


Wale ... 


4.20 


4.411 


5.00 


3.67 


1.83 




810 


12. 50 


...do .... 


:: -ii 


4.20 


5.20 


3.50 


1.80 




783 


12.25 


do ... 


3.75 


4.33 


5.25 


3.25 


1.80 




813 


11.50 


Female . 


4.17 




5.00 


4.00 


2.00 







and 



Specimen No. 155 was found dead on the shore at head of lake: specimens Nos. 113 
155 with undeveloped .sexual organs. 



24. Salvelinus malma (Walbaum). Dolly Varden Trout; Western Ckarr ; Bull Trout. 

Obtained in Alturas. Pend d'Oreille, ami Wallowa lakes, where it is abundant and affords good 
sport for tlie angler. At Alturas Lake during July a great many were caught about the mouth of the 
inlet and many large examples were taken in Lake Pend d'Oreille. The cbarr is a voracious fish and 
preys largely upon other species of fishes. In the stomachs of some of those examined at Lake Pend 
d'( Ireille were numerous specimens of Leuciscus baltealus, Ptychocheilus oref/onensis, Mylocheilus caurinus, 
and Coitus. All of these except .1/. nun-inn* were found in the stomach of one fish. Some specimens 
from 1 his lake were infested about tho axils by a small crustacean of the genus Lernaopoda. 

Measurements of a number of specimens of cbarr arc given in the following table: 

Comparative measurements of chair from the Columbia River Basin. 



Length in 
inches 


Head. 


Depth. 


Eye. 


Snout. 


Maxillary. 


a 12. 50 


3.80 


4.80 


6.40 


4.00 


2.00 


a 18. 50 


3.40 


6.00 


7. 5(1 


3.00 


1.60 


612.25 


3.83 


5.00 


6.60 


3.60 


1.85 


c6. 50 


4.20 


5.00 


5.25 


4.00 


1.85 


c5. 50 


4.00 


4.75 


5.00 


4.00 


2.00 


dll. 50 


4.00 


5.50 


7.00 


3.83 


2.00 


dlO. 50 


4.00 


6.00 


6.00 


3.83 


2.00 


dl0.50 


3.83 


6.00 


6.00 


3.83 


2.00 


dll. 00 


3.75 


6.00 


6.00 


4.00 


2.00 



a From Alturas Lake, Idaho. 

tFrom Little White Salmon Kiver, Washington. 



cFrom Wallowa Lake, Oregon. 
dFrom Lake Pend d'Oreille. Idaho. 



25. Salmo mykiss clarkii Richardson. American Cut-throat Trout. 

Numerous specimens obtained. Particularly abundant in Lake Washington, Siuslaw River, and the 
lakes near its mouth, Wallowa and Alturas lakes, Upper Klamath Lake, and in Des Chutes River. A 
comparison of many specimens indicates that it will be necessary to recognize more species or 
varieties of .Salmo in the northwestern portion of the United States than have hitherto been admitted; 
but it seems best to hold the matter open for additional data and consideration. 

F. C. B. 1897—6 



82 



BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



26. Salmo gairdneri Richardson. Steelhead Trout ; "Salmon Trout.'' 

Seen in large numbers at Astoria anil The Dalles. Not common in the Siuslaw, ami only 2 speci- 
mens obtained in Upper Klamath Lake. While at The Dalles during the last week in September 
and the first half of October Mr. Alexander examined 4,179 steelheads, of these, 1,531 were males and 
2,648 females; 47(3 males, and !>00 females were well developed, and would probably have spawned in 
four to six weeks. The remaining 2,803, he thinks, would not have spawned until some time in the 
spring. 

Steelhead salmon taken bij Mr. I. H. Taffe, at Celilo, September IS toSS, 1896, and examined by Hr. Alexander. 



Date. 



Sept. 18, 189G 

Sept. 19, 1896 
Sept. 21, !896 
Sept. 22, 1896 



Male. 



Number. 



Ill 
130 
121 
159 



Well de- 
veloped. 



10 
28 
29 
59 



Female. 



Number. 



124 
110 
366 
391 



991 



Well de- 
veloped. 



15 
22 



299 



Total. 



235 
240 
487 
550 



1, 512 



How caught. 



In 

1m , 1 



160 
180 
192 
350 



By 

spear. 



75 
60 
295 
200 



882 



Steelhead salmon taken in seines by Mr. F. A. Seufert, at Celilo, September 25 to October IS, 1896. 



Date. 



Sept. 25, 1896 
Sept. 26, 1896 
Sept. 27, 1896 
Sept. 28, 1896 
Sept. 29. 1896 
I i.t 5, 1896.. 
Oct. 7,1896.. 
Oct. 10, 1896. 
Oct. 13, 1636. 



Male. 



Number. 



129 
148 
218 

97 
176 

49 
116 

46 

31 



1,010 



Well de- 
veloped. 



22 
28 
91 
44 
77 
12 
49 
12 
15 



350 



Female. 



Number. 



Well de- 
veloped. 



296 
281 
328 
140 
234 
50 
181 
81 
66 



1,657 



103 
112 
140 
48 
72 
14 
60 
21 
31 



601 



Total. 



425 
429 
546 
237 
410 

99 
297 
127 

97 



2,667 



Mr. Alexander states that not many steelhead are seen about Seattle until the latter part of Novem- 
ber or early in December, or about two months after they begin running up the rivers at the northern 
end of the sound. During the early part of January, 1897, a good many were taken near Seattle. 
They were considered equal in quality to those taken in other parts of the sound. Their eggs were in 
various stages of development ; a few fish were spent, but the majority were well advanced and would 
have spawned in a short time. 

27. Hypomesus pretiosus (Girard). 

Nineteen specimens from Siuslaw River at Florence, where it is abundant about the cannery wharf 
during the canning season. 

28. Gasterosteus cataphractus (Pallas). Alaska Stickleback. 

Found in Siuslaw River at Florence and at mouth of the outlet of Tsiltcoos Lake. Only a few 
specimens were obtained. 

29. Gasterosteus williamsoni microcephalus (Girard). California Stickleback. 

Many specimens from Tsiltcoos Lake, in which it is quite abundant. A few specimens were 
obtained in Lake Washington by Mr. Alexander, where it was also obtained in 1892. 

30. Siphostoma griseolineatura (Ayres). Pipefish. 

One specimen, 10f inches in length, from the Siuslaw River near Point Terrace. It was caught in 
a 7-inch-mesh salmon gill net. 

31. Ammodytcs personatus Girard. Sand Lance. 

One specimen, 3f inches in length, from the Siuslaw River at Florence. Dorsal (iO; anal 26. 

32. Cymatogaster aggregatus Gibbons. 

A Coitus which we with some hesitation refer to this species is very abundant in Siuslaw River 
about tBe cannery wharf during the canning season. 



SALMON INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA EIVEK BASIN IN 1896 



83 



33 Cottus asper Richardson. Prickly Bullhead. 

Nine small specimens collected in Lake Washington, June 15. Head nearly or quite naked, hut 
entire hody except belly uniformly covered with small prickles. 

34. Cottus gulosus (Girard) 

A Coitus which we with some hesitation refer to this species is very abundant in fresh and 
brackish waters in Siuslaw River and in the lakes south of Florence, and easily caught on a trawl, or 
with hook and line. Mapleton, < Oregon, Siuslaw River, 25 specimens; Acme, Oregon, South Slough, 4; 
Whoahiuk Lake, 3; TsiltcoosLake, 20; Tahkenitch Lake, 9 ; Lake Washington, 1; Lake Sammamish, 2. 

35. Cottus puuctulatus (Gill). 

One specimen, 2.75 inches long, obtained from the stomach of a bull trout, Alturas Lake, July 16, 
1896. Five from Alturas Lake, July 30, 1896. 

36. Cottus princeps Gilbert. 

Cottus princeps Gilbert, Bull. U. S. F. C. 1897, 12, with figure 
Eighteen specimens from Pelican Bay, Upper Klamath Lake. Head 31 ; depth 5; D. vil or vm 
20 or 21; A. 16 to 18; eye 5; snout 4; interorbital width 5|. Ventrals I, I; lateral line scarcely 
complete; anterior portion of body covered with prickles; posterior part smooth below. Head rather 
long, pointed; mamillaries reaching to front of pupil. Color same as in C. Iciojiomus, which it closely 
resembles, but from which it differs iu the more numerous dorsal and aual rays, the shorter snout, 
somewhat broader interorbital, and in having the body covered with prickles. 

37. Cottus klamathensis Gilbert. 

Cottus Mamathensis Gilbert, Bull. U. S. F. C. 1897, 10, with figure. 
Head 3J; depth 4}; eye 3j; ; snout 3A; D. vil, 19; A. 13 or 14; V. I, 4; interorbital width 5; 
maxillary reaching front of pupil. No teeth on palatines; a single straight preopercular spine, appar- 
ently disappearing in older examples; nostril in distinct tubes; body short, stout; head moderately 
broad, wedge-shaped anteriorly ; caudal peduncle short, compressed, its greatest width 2 iu eye, least 
depth lin eye; gill membranes joined to the isthmus, widely separated; body smooth. Color rather 
light; body with about 10 obscure irregular vertical blotches, but everywhere covered with minuet 
brown spots, a V-shaped bar at base of caudal; spinous dorsal with a dark blotch on its posterior 
portion; soft dorsal profusely covered with fine black specks; caudal faintly barred with dark and 
lighter. A single small example from the lower end of Upper Klamath Lake. 




Fig. 6 — Uranidea t>:mti* Rvennann & "Meek, new species. 

38. Uraiiidea tenuis, new species. 

TypeNo. 48229, U. S. X. M. ; cotypes No. 5705, L. S. Jr. Univ. Mus., and No. 434, U. S. F. C. Type 
locality : Lower end of Upper Klamath Lake, near Klamath Falls, Oregon, November 10, 1896. 
Collectors Meek and Alexander. 

Length of type, 3 inches, or 3f inches including caudal. Apparently allied to Uranidea marginata. 

Head3|; depth 7; eye 4|; snout 4; V. I, 3; D. vi-i, 17; A. 15. Vomer with teeth; palatines tooth- 
less. Head long, contracted from eyes forward; snout rather long; body much compressed, very 
slender; greatest width of caudal peduncle 2\ in eye; least depth of same slightly greater than eye; 
preopercular spin.- well developed, broad, rather sharp, partly covered by skin, curved upward; below 
this two other spines, the anterior one blunt, the other sharp, directed toward lower base of pectoral; 
post-temporal spine well developed. Body smooth, wholly without prickles or scales; lateral line 
complete except on caudal peduncle. 



84 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 

Color, dark above and on upper three-fourths of sides, pale below ; dorsal fins barred with series of 
dark dots or blotches: caudal similarly marked but rather darker; anal light with a few dark blotches; 
pectorals same as caudal ; ventrals plain ; underside of head profusely covered with small, round black 
specks; muciferous pores on head well developed. 

Besides the specimen described above we have two others of the same slender style from Pelican 
Bay, and many others from Pelican Bay, the majority of which are much smaller and less slender. 
The slender ones are apparently entirely smooth; a ripe female 3 inches long has a few prickles on 
anterior part of body, while all the smaller ones arc pretty well covered with small prickles. 

39. Leptocottus armatus Girard 

Very abundant in Siuslaw River below Acme and easily caught on a trawl or with hook and line. 

40. Platichthys stellatus Pallas. California Flounder. 

Common about the mouths of .Siuslaw River and Ten Mile Creek; occasionally taken during the 
summer as far up the river as Maplcton. Of 11 specimens from Siuslaw River and Ten Mile Creek, 6 
are destral and 5 are sinistral. 



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